Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler is determined to prove he deserves a max contract this offseason.
That motivation could push Butler to limits never seen during his time with the Heat. The organization made limited roster changes over the summer, while other Eastern Conference teams rebuilt their entire rotations.
It’s hard for NBA fans to pin their hopes on the Heat given the improvements around them, but Butler’s motivations are exactly the answer, according to Dan Favale of Bleacher Report.
“Sure, Jimmy Butler will be 35 on Opening Night. And yes, he’ll still miss some time (22 games last season),” Favale wrote. “But should we really rule out a Heat franchise built around Jimmy Butler (2025-26 player option)? After his own team president, Pat Riley, all but ruled out an extension before the offseason began?”
It all depends on where the Heat stand once the play-in tournament arrives. A play-in tournament appearance seems inevitable, but the health of Butler and the rest of the team remains a mystery.
The Heat are no strangers to injury issues, meaning another full season could jeopardize any chance of playoff success. Furthermore, a healthy Heat team is always a threat to nearly every title contender with Butler seeking a max contract.
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Anthony Pasciolla works as a contributing writer for Miami Heat On SI. You can contact him at [email protected] or follow him on X @AnthonyPasci.
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