Less than a year ago, Jimmy Butler had made it clear that he wouldn't retire and wanted to end his career with the Miami Heat. Fast forward to the present day, and Jimmy Butler is now playing in Golden State and aiming to get the first ring of his career.
Butler told GQ reporters last May at the Miami Grand Prix that a Heat jersey would be the last one he wore in his career.
“I feel at home, man. I really care about the city, I really care about the people in this city," Buter said. "Miami has embraced me. They’ve wanted me to bring them something they haven’t done since LeBron, D-Wade, and C-Bosh. And I want to do that."
Signing to Miami as a free agent back in 2019, Butler had just wrapped up his fifth season in South Beach, and he had embraced the identity of 'Heat Culture' as well as being 'Playoff Jimmy.'
The fallout of Jimmy Butler and Pat Riley
The fallout between Butler and the Heat began last offseason when Butler asserted that the Heat would've beaten the Boston Celtics had he been healthy in the postseason, and Riley wasn't very fond of those remarks.
"For him to say that, you know, is that Jimmy trolling or Jimmy serious," Riley stated. "If you're not on the court playing against Boston, or on the court playing against the New York Knicks. You should keep your mouth shut, and your criticism of those teams."
Butler had a $52 million player option that he likely would've opted out of, allowing him to be an unrestricted free agent this upcoming offseason, but Riley was reluctant to offer him an extension last offseason. Those remarks and the team's inability to reach a long-term agreement didn't bode well with Jimmy, as that snowballed into the 2024-25 season.
From multiple suspensions, walking out of practices, and back-and-forth responses both Riley and Butler had a level of accountability to take for the fallout, as it left a bad impression on the function of the organization.
The front office stated on Dec. 10 that they were open to trading Butler, then weeks later, Riley stated how they would not trade him. Jimmy then formally requested a trade from the Heat and then follow that up with a face-to-face meeting with Riley, expressing his desire to be traded once again.
Butler, who was distressed and was ready to play basketball elsewhere, had told the media in early January that he just wants to get his joy back.
"I want to see me getting my joy back playing basketball. Wherever that may be, we'll find out here pretty soon," Butler said. "I'm happy here off the court, but I want to be back to somewhat dominant, I want to hoop, and I want to help this team win, and right now, I'm not doing it."
Jimmy Butler traded to the Warriors
The Heat finally caved in at the NBA trade deadline, sending Butler to the Warriors. Jimmy not only got his chance at playing basketball at a high level next to Steph Curry and Draymond Green, but he also got his well-deserved money, reaching a two-year $121-million contract extension.
Butler, in his introduction press conference with the Warriors, explained that the extension wasn't the only reason for the trade.
"I'm not going to say that was a big part, but I'm happy about it," Butler said. "I think the biggest part was just getting me to be able to play basketball again. I just want to be able to go out there and do what I've been doing for a very long time...I'm very, very, very happy that I'm not getting suspended no more."
The Warriors in the beginning of the Jimmy Butler are 5-1 and it appears as if Butler and the entire team is beyond excited to have Jimmy apart of their locker room.
“Whatever the ‘it’ factor is, we needed it and that's what Jimmy is bringing us," Steve Kerr said. "A star confidence, you can feel his presence and force. He’s infusing the team with new energy.”
“We know who Jimmy is," Curry added. "He's gone to two Finals, is a winner, has a lot to prove and we’re going to try to help each other do that.”
Heat moving forward after Butler's trade
Although the Heat were able to eventually move off of Butler, it set a bad precedent and may leave a bad taste in the mouths of other future superstars who may want to come to Miami. Butler had been nothing short of sensational in his tenure with the Heat as he led them to two NBA Finals appearances, and three Eastern Conference Championship appearances, as he proved himself to be one of the greatest playoff risers of this generation.
Riley and the entire Miami front office will look to move past the Jimmy Butler era of Heat basketball and look to build around their core of Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, and Andrew Wiggins.