Jimmy Wants Out
I want to see me get my joy back from playing basketball… – Jimmy Butler
Jimmy Butler’s agent has some explaining to do. Just weeks after getting in a very public spat with ESPN’s Shams Charania over the NBA trade rumors that Butler wanted to be traded, it looks like he was straight-up lying.
Amid the Heat’s struggles this season and inability to surround the star forward with more talent, Butler’s spirit seems completely broken. He opened up some eyes in NBA news circles with his recent comments.
“What do I want to see happen? I want to see me get my joy back from playing basketball, wherever that may be — we’ll find out here pretty soon,” Butler said. “I want to get my joy back. I’m happy here, off the court, but I want to be back to somewhere dominant. I want to hoop and I want to help this team win. Right now, I’m not doing that.”
He was then asked if he thinks he can find his joy for basketball again in Miami and he said, “Probably not.”
“Probably not.”
—Jimmy Butler when asked if he could get his joy back in Miami. pic.twitter.com/5gahEJxWM7
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 3, 2025
It’s clear now that he wants to be traded. Butler has helped lead the team to two NBA Finals appearances so he’s done more than his fair share for the franchise. They simply haven’t put enough around him to get over him and he’s fed up. Things are about to get tense for the Miami Heat.
Jimmy Butler since joining the Miami Heat:
• 2x Finals appearances
• ECF MVP
• 2x ECF champion
• 3x ECF appearances
• 1st in triple doubles in franchise history
• 1st in 40+ point playoffs games
• Saved the franchise in 2019They will never make me hate you 22. pic.twitter.com/KgLMaVffKK
— 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙩𝘾𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 (@WadexFlash) January 3, 2025
Where Could Butler Play?
It’s obvious that Butler wants to play NBA games somewhere else. However, the Heat may not be looking at a huge return for the All-Star. Jimmy Butler’s stats aren’t great this season as he’s only averaging 17.6 points per game.
He’s never been a big scorer but he’s dealt with a lot of injuries in his career and is 35. Certainly not an overly valuable asset.
Breaking: Jimmy Butler has told the Heat he wants to be traded per @ShamsCharania, @WindhorstESPN pic.twitter.com/5hWJJrvo2C
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 3, 2025
That said, he’s still an impact player and could really help a contending team. The Golden State Warriors would be an obvious fit. They’ve been trying to land a star for the past year but it hasn’t worked out. The Houston Rockets and Denver Nuggets could make sense, as well. Both teams could use a veteran star.
If the price isn’t too high, there will likely be many teams trying to trade for Butler.
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