Despite Jimmy Butler's trade request, he is back in Miami for now.
The Heat forward is back in the starting lineup for Friday night's 2023 NBA Finals rematch between Miami and the Nuggets after serving a seven-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team.
Butler's agent, Bernie Lee, posted a press release about the X that resembled Michael Jordan's famous quote. “I'm back” declarationending his first NBA retirement in 1995.
Leaning into the Jordan theme of trolling, Butler posted a photo to his Instagram Story wearing a Jordan No. 45 Bulls uniform.
Butler, who played for the Bulls from 2011 to 2017, recreated the jersey Jordan wore upon his return to the NBA in 1995, before reverting to his iconic No. 23.
Butler last played for the Heat in a blowout loss to the Pacers on Jan. 2, scoring just nine points in two straight games.
There were rumors and reports that he was dissatisfied with not getting a new contract from the Heat and was potentially looking to be traded.
After the contest, he spoke out about the whole situation and publicly expressed that he wanted a new home.
“I want to see him get the joy of playing basketball back. Wherever that ends up, we'll see right away,” Butler said. “I'm happy off the court, but I want to get back to being dominant. I want to hoop and I want to help this team win. I'm not doing that right now. ”
Asked by a reporter if he could ever regain his “joy” on the court, Butler said, “Probably not.”
Earlier on Friday, an ESPN report suggested that people close to the situation may not want him to return at all, but unfortunately, he's suiting up for Miami again. .
Neither Butler nor his agent have publicly rescinded their trade request, and there are no reports to suggest anything major has changed beyond the six-time All-Star returning from suspension.
Butler is under contract for $49 million this season with a player option for next season worth $52.4 million, which would be difficult to move within the limits of the NBA's current collective bargaining agreement.
