The rivalry between Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat is getting more intense by the day. ESPN insider Shams Charania reported earlier this month that Butler was hoping to move before the trade deadline. Butler's agent vehemently denied the reports at the time, but the veteran star's behavior certainly makes him look like a player he would like to be traded before February 6th.
The Indiana Pacers defeated the Heat 128-115 on Thursday night. Butler seemed oddly unmotivated all night, finishing the game with just nine points in 27 minutes. He only had six field goal attempts against a poor Pacers defense, and the Heat were -27 with him on the floor. After the game, Butler made it clear that he was not happy with Miami. Butler's tough postgame press conference went viral, followed by another report from Charania in which the longtime Heat star made it clear he wanted to be traded.
After the game, Butler was asked a direct question: “Can we find some joy back here on the court?” He said, “Probably not.” Watch the clip here:
“I want to see me get back the joy of playing basketball,” Butler said. “No matter where it is, you'll see right away here. I'm happy here…off the court.”
Butler doubles down on his trade request with new report from Charania After the loss to the Pacers. ESPN reports that Butler wants to be traded anywhere and won't give Miami a wish list. Below is part of the report.
Sources told ESPN that Butler will not provide the Heat with a list of desired destinations. He is open to playing somewhere other than Miami and feels he can be a championship contender for any team, officials said. Officials say he intends to participate in all team activities and do whatever the Heat ask of him during this process.
Butler had not played since Dec. 20 due to illness until New Year's Day, when the Heat played the Pelicans. Butler finished the game for the Pelicans with nine points in 25 minutes, but took just five shots. One of them was this weird one-legged three-point shot.
It certainly felt like Butler was trying to get out of Miami based on his play and comments against the Pacers.
This all happened a week after Heat's top executive Pat Riley emphasized that Butler would remain in Miami and that the team had no interest in trading him.
Butler has a $52.4 million player option for next season. Charania reportedly plans to opt out and sign a long-term contract. brooklyn nets They will have the most cap space this summer and are rebuilding. Butler is in a tough situation. He wants a new home and a new contract, but the Heat have no incentive to put the team at 17-15 overall and in the playoffs.
Who blinks first, Jimmy or Riley? Butler, who heroically led the Heat to two NBA Finals appearances during his tenure, feels he's done with the Heat. At this point, the Heat are still not done with him.
Jimmy Butler’s trade demand hits next level with latest comments, report after Heat loss
The rivalry between Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat is getting more intense by the day. ESPN insider Shams Charania reported earlier this month that Butler was hoping to move before the trade deadline. Butler's agent vehemently denied the reports at the time, but the veteran star's behavior certainly makes him look like a player he would like to be traded before February 6th.
The Indiana Pacers defeated the Heat 128-115 on Thursday night. Butler seemed oddly unmotivated all night, finishing the game with just nine points in 27 minutes. He only had six field goal attempts against a poor Pacers defense, and the Heat were -27 with him on the floor. After the game, Butler made it clear that he was not happy with Miami. Butler's tough postgame press conference went viral, followed by another report from Charania in which the longtime Heat star made it clear he wanted to be traded.
After the game, Butler was asked a direct question: “Can we find some joy back here on the court?” He said, “Probably not.” Watch the clip here:
“I want to see me get back the joy of playing basketball,” Butler said. “No matter where it is, you'll see right away here. I'm happy here…off the court.”
Butler doubles down on his trade request with new report from Charania After the loss to the Pacers. ESPN reports that Butler wants to be traded anywhere and won't give Miami a wish list. Below is part of the report.
Butler had not played since Dec. 20 due to illness until New Year's Day, when the Heat played the Pelicans. Butler finished the game for the Pelicans with nine points in 25 minutes, but took just five shots. One of them was this weird one-legged three-point shot.
It certainly felt like Butler was trying to get out of Miami based on his play and comments against the Pacers.
This all happened a week after Heat's top executive Pat Riley emphasized that Butler would remain in Miami and that the team had no interest in trading him.
Butler has a $52.4 million player option for next season. Charania reportedly plans to opt out and sign a long-term contract. brooklyn nets They will have the most cap space this summer and are rebuilding. Butler is in a tough situation. He wants a new home and a new contract, but the Heat have no incentive to put the team at 17-15 overall and in the playoffs.
Who blinks first, Jimmy or Riley? Butler, who heroically led the Heat to two NBA Finals appearances during his tenure, feels he's done with the Heat. At this point, the Heat are still not done with him.
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