The relationship between Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat may be beyond repair.
NBA Rumors: Jimmy Butler wants out of Miami and new details have emerged to help explain why that may be the case.
Over the past five years, Jimmy Butler has helped lead the Miami Heat to three Eastern Conference Finals and two NBA Finals appearances. On the surface, all seemed right between Jimmy and the Heat. However, with what we know now, that may not be the case. In fact, the recent details seem to point out that this relationship between the two sides may be beyond repair – and that may be one of the bigger reasons why Jimmy may want out of Miami.
On Christmas morning, it was reported by ESPN's Shams Charania that Jimmy "prefers" to be traded by the NBA Trade Deadline. In fairness, Shams didn't say that Jimmy had officially demanded a trade, just that he preferred one. Whether you can have one without the other is a fair question, though. While a trade may not be imminent, there was some additional reporting by Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald that added credence to this ESPN report. And it revolves around a shaky relationship between Jimmy and the Heat.
According to the reporting from Jackson, Jimmy was surprised when he was publically scolded by Heat president Pat Riley at the end of last season and was also disappointed that the team didn't flat-out shoot down the whispers that the Heat was "open" to listening to trade offers for Jimmy a few weeks ago. Jimmy was also clearly upset that he didn't get the contract extension he was seeking during the offseason.
It's pretty clear that the relationship between Jimmy and the Heat is fractured and it does help explain why one side may be pushing for a trade ahead of the deadline. Whether Miami will feel the need to trade Jimmy remains to be seen. However, at this point, it's certainly a move the Heat has to consider. It would be malpractice if they didn't at least explore the option over the next few weeks.
What the Heat will end up doing is anyone's guess. And they may not have much leverage either, which could make a trade of Jimmy that much more tricky. Maybe Jimmy and the Heat are able to salvage their relationship. However, if I had to make a prediction, I'd say that Jimmy's days in a Heat uniform are numbered. At this point, there's a very good chance he will end up finishing this season on another team.
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