Jimmy Butler’s frustration with Heat actually makes sense

The Miami Heat and Jimmy Butler continue to be at odds over how their divorce has gone down in South Beach. The truth is there is blame on both sides. Butler's antics have drawn plenty of criticism from NBA observers, but the origination of his discontent with the Heat is unassailable.

Butler's frustration with GM Pat Riley and Miami's front office came to a head after watching other Eastern Conference contenders make aggressive moves to beef up their title credentials. In particular, the Celtics' moves for Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday, along with the Bucks' move for Damian Lillard made him view things about his own franchise differently.

The Heat did not help themselves with what they did with their own roster. Signing mediocre veterans like Thomas Bryant and Josh Richardson made it obvious to Butler that his window of contention in Miami was over. That led to his recent demand for a trade, according to James Jackson of The Athletic ($).

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Heat's underwhelming offseason led to Jimmy Butler trade request

Ironically, the Heat's unwillingness to commit to any sort of youth movement with Butler on the roster may be part of the reason why they weren't willing to deal him earlier in the season. Riley and his front office correctly realize they don't have the talent on the roster required to be title contenders without a talisman like Butler to lean on.

Butler will not benefit from being right about Miami's personnel moves. His poor attitude and mediocre play this season will make any team contemplating a trade for him think twice. Those factors will also drive down what the Heat can realistically expect to get in any Butler deal. As of yet, no team has come forward with a reasonable offer for a player that still has significant playoff upside.

Riley has been a top-tier GM for years, but Butler might have been the better man to lead Miami's personnel moves in recent months. Now the Heat and Butler will both play the price for this highly public soap opera.