Before the 2024–25 NBA season, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst offered some insightful observations about Miami Heat player Jimmy Butler.
The 34-year-old Butler and the Heat have not yet reached a long-term contract, and Windhorst believes that may mean Butler will attempt to establish himself in the 2024–25 season.
Jimmy Butler, who is extremely driven to be a free agent, is, in Windhorst’s opinion, a different beast.
Butler’s contract includes a player option for the 2025–2026 campaign, however following that season, he will have the opportunity to opt out and become an unrestricted free agency. Butler may yet agree to a contract extension with the Heat.
Butler led Miami to the NBA Finals in the 2022–23 season, but the team ultimately lost to the Denver Nuggets in the championship game. Tyler Herro missed much of that postseason run with the Heat, and injuries plagued them once more the previous campaign.
Windhorst added, “And the Heat have had absolutely miserable health luck the last couple of years.”
Butler’s knee injury during the 2023–24 play-in tournament against the Philadelphia 76ers contributed to his terrible luck in terms of health, as he was forced to miss Miami’s opening-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics. Miami lost to Boston in just five games when Butler wasn’t there.
During the 2023–24 season, the Heat also had to cope with the injuries to important players like Terry Rozier and Herro. The fact that Miami was sometimes without both of those important guards—Rozier did not participate in the postseason—certainly reduced their potential as Eastern Conference competitors.
Then, Windhorst explained his reasoning for purchasing the Heat before the 2024–25 campaign.
“Basically, I’m saying buy (the Heat) because Jimmy Butler will be highly motivated, I believe,” Windhorst stated. Jimmy sometimes seems to be looking for excuses not to play. And perhaps that will end up being the case, but I think Jimmy will be going all out to prove himself to the Heat and everyone else in the NBA.
Butler was acquired by the Heat prior to the 2019–20 campaign, and the six-time All-Star helped the team reach the NBA Finals in the NBA’s Orlando, Florida bubble that year.
Butler spent five seasons with the Heat, during which time the team advanced to the NBA Finals twice and the Eastern Conference Finals three times. As a result, Heat supporters are aware of Butler’s potential.
Given that his future with the Heat is somewhat uncertain, Butler might be driven to demonstrate his worth for a long-term contract extension with the team. Pat Riley and the other Heat front office members might be persuaded to keep developing around him for a few more years if he can lead the team to another deep playoff run in 2024–25.
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