Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler knows how to make a fan feel special on their birthday. Few NBA stars would go as far as Butler, bringing a birthday cake as a surprise before singing “Happy Birthday” in the fans’ native language.
Granted, Butler didn’t know the lyrics per se. However, he played the conductor in the video before wishing the teary-eyed fan a happy birthday in a video that went viral on social media.
Despite his playoff-ending injury, Butler remains in good spirits. That’s typically the norm for the six-time All-Star, who is known for being a guy who often shows affection to his fans, travels the world and knows how to have fun in the offseason.
But when the time comes to return to the basketball court, many wonder how he and his body will react as he approaches the final year of his three-year, $146 million contract with the Heat.
Brian Windhorst says Jimmy Butler will be ‘very motivated’ in 2024-25
Butler saw Miami lose 4-1 in their best-of-seven first-round series against the Boston Celtics in the 2024 NBA Playoffs after suffering a medial collateral ligament sprain against the Philadelphia 76ers in their first game of the playoff tournament.
Poor health could jeopardize Butler’s future in Miami. Heat president Pat Riley has shown no signs to extend Butler’s contract, meaning that at 35, the six-time All-Star will have to prove in 2024-25 that he deserves a big raise.
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In a recent episode of his podcast “The Hoop Collective,” ESPN analyst Brian Windhorst said Butler will enter the upcoming season with a vengeance.
“I’m basically saying that you have to buy [the Heat] “Jimmy Butler is going to be very motivated,” Windhorst said. “Sometimes it seems like Jimmy is looking for reasons not to play. And maybe he is, but I think Jimmy is going to be in killer mode trying to prove himself to the Heat and everybody else in the league.”
Butler averaged 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5 assists and 1.3 steals per game in 60 games in 2023-24. He has a player option for 2025-26 worth $52.4 million.
