Miami Heat fans are understandably worried about the future of their team after this season. Nobody knew how they would keep themselves competitive for the Finals even with Jimmy Butler on the roster, but now there’s no clear direction where Pat Riley wants to take the Heat.
Make no mistake about the roster, though. The fact that they made the first round despite the clear lack of a bona fide superstar is a testament to the culture Riley cultivated in Miami for more than three decades.
However, Butler’s success in Golden State makes it clear that the Dubs were the clear winners of the trade-deadline transaction between the two squads. It’s hard to deny this fact when Jimmy Buckets effectively resurrected the Dubs while the Heat are in basketball limbo.
While fans wonder about their favorite team’s future, Riley cleared the air on the drama that transpired during Butler’s final days in a Miami jersey.
Pat Riley will not apologize for the Miami Heat Jimmy Butler drama despite the team’s early playoff exit
Riley recently went public with his thoughts on the Jimmy Butler saga. He explained that he will not apologize for his decision not to extend Butler, insisting that his actions were for the team’s best interests.
Per ClutchPoints’ Zachary Winberger:
“I’m not going to apologize for saying no on the contract extension when we didn’t have to, and I don’t think I should, and I will always say that to the players if I was coaching, keep your mouth shut, I’ll see you next training camp, and you get back on the court. But it’s different today with players. So, anyhow, that’s what I want to talk about with Jimmy. I’ve been through those kinds of situations before, even with this team, a couple times. And so it’s over. It’s done. I wish him well, good luck to him, and I hope deep down in his heart somewhere. He wishes us well too.”
Butler enjoyed his most dominant stretch of basketball with the Heat. In his six years with the franchise, he averaged 21.0 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 5.7 APG, and 1.7 SPG. His reputation as an incredible playoff performer and a fascinating off-court figure blossomed during his days in South Beach.
While it’s unlikely that Butler will ever suit up for Miami again, it might be nice to know that Riley still thinks positively of his days in the organization.
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