All eyes are on Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler this season as he hits unrestricted free agency next summer.
Butler should be looking to get the best deal, whether it’s with the Heat or elsewhere. He must first prove he’s worthy of that lucrative contract at 34, plagued by health issues.
NBA analyst Brian Windhorst of ESPN expects the six-time All-Star to do just that, citing it as the main reason he’s buying the Heat this season.
“[A] Jimmy Butler [that’s] “I’m very motivated to be a free agent. I think that’s a different story,” Windhorst shared in a segment titled “Buy or Sell.” “The Heat have been absolutely miserable the last two years. I still don’t exactly understand the Terry Rozier trade, which gave away a first baseman.”
The Heat acquired Rozier from the Charlotte Hornets midway through last season, giving him little time to acclimate to their system. Allowing him to play a full season alongside Butler and Bam Adebayo should lead to more impactful stats.
“Sometimes it seems like Jimmy is looking for reasons not to play, and maybe he will,” Windhorst said. “But I think Jimmy is going to be in killer mode trying to prove himself to the Heat and everybody else in the league.”
It’s hard to imagine Butler needing a career year to get the maximum from Miami management, given that he’s been at the helm for two NBA Finals appearances. The last time he played on an expiring contract was with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2019, which was one of the most impactful seasons of his career.
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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