Jimmy Butler‘s future with the Miami Heat is uncertain as he reportedly won’t accept a contract extension from the organization, according to Miami Herald’s Anthony Chiang. This sparked trade rumors that involved the Houston Rockets as a potential landing spot for Butler. However, former NBA star Paul Pierce doesn’t like the idea of having the Heat star with a young team.
Butler is reportedly eligible to sign a two-year, $113 million contract extension with Miami. Unfortunately for the organization, Chiang reported that the All-Star forward is expected to decline the offer and opt out of his $52 million player option to become a free agent.
The star became the subject of trade rumors, with the young Rockets team at the top of the list. Pierce believes that having Butler on a team with a youthful core might ruin the team’s development and goals. The former Boston Celtics star said that he’d enjoy having the six-time All-Star with a contending team and named the Milwaukee Bucks as an example.
“I don’t really like Jimmy Butler on a young team. I like Butler on a team that can get you over the top,” the 2008 Finals MVP said. “Like, Butler to Milwaukee, makes more sense to me. He could be that missing piece. At the age of 35, that you need to take the pressure off of Giannis [Antetokounmpo] and Dame Lillard.”
Pierce said that he likes where the Rockets are and doesn’t want to see the development of the franchise’s young talent to be disrupted by another veteran.
“Houston, I like where they at already. They devleoping, they fought last year at the end of the year for a playoff spot or a Play-In spot. They showed me they got better. I want to keep that on schedule… I got the necessary veterans I need. I don’t need an older player, just to make the playoffs.”
The rumor mill is buzzing… Is Jimmy Butler on the move? 👀
What do YOU think? Should Jimmy stay in Miami and keep building, or is it time for a fresh start with a title contender? pic.twitter.com/IKvPXZ7qbA
— All the Smoke Productions (@allthesmokeprod) November 6, 2024
The former All-Star also mentioned the Golden State Warriors as a team that he’d like Butler to be involved in. Pierce said that at Butler’s age, going to a team with a chance of winning the championship should be the priority.
Jimmy Butler cited defense as the Heat’s issue for the slow start
While the Heat are currently third in the Eastern Conference, their 3-3 record isn’t something to boast about. Jimmy Butler’s 27 points against the Sacramento Kings on Monday weren’t enough and the star talked about their inconsistent defense as the reason for their 111-110 loss.
“We don’t get back. We don’t defensive rebound it. It is a defensive thing, but for us, it’s more offense when we don’t see that ball going through that basket. I think that mentally, we have to be stronger and tougher to get stops still. And I think that’s the main problem. That’s what you see in the third quarter,” Butler said.
Jimmy Butler on the third quarter and how their offense dictates their defense.
“When we ain’t making shots, that’s when teams go on runs…” #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/GtpAm8kiAn
— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) November 5, 2024
On Wednesday, they look to take on the Phoenix Suns, who are on a five-game win streak.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen with Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
