Let’s Have a Rant About Jimmy Butler & The Heat

A quick discussion about Butler, the Heat & what they should do

With so much off-the-court stuff that’s been going on with Jimmy Butler, his agent, his potential extension and future with the Miami Heat, as well as discussions on what the Heat should do going forward, I want to get some thoughts out on all of it. So, let’s just have an unplanned rant about everything around this(this is a rant, so be prepare for going off on a tangent).

Where do we even start, because this didn’t start in recently. This didn’t start in this regular-season but in the off-season. It started when the Heat weren’t willing to give Butler the extension he wanted.

With Butler and the Heat not coming to an agreement with the extension opened up potential scenarios, however likely they may be from either side, it still made many routes a possibility, ones that should be explored.

And recently, there’s been some noise going around Butler, his agent, Shams, potential trades, people lying, and potential subliminal messages through the color of Butler’s hair. That alone sparked much more conversation around this.

Whoever you believe, I think the fact there was something from multiple reporters, even if it’s the same information that has been around, that still says something. Why are these reports resurfacing not just by random reporters but by national platforms? Whichever side, team, or agent felt like this was something they wanted to do raised an eye.

For me, though, it doesn’t matter who said what. I rarely pay attention to insider info or sources for the most part. If it’s things like interest, might consider, or anything vague of the sorts, then I’ll just wait until something definite comes up. Until any party comes out with something definite, like an actual trade request, demand, or a team openly saying they’re moving on, then it’s business as usual.

That’s why, I don’t believe the Heat will trade Butler or have shown any consideration that they will. I also don’t believe Butler himself will demand a trade. If I had to bet, he is going to stay with the Heat at least for the remainder of this season. After that, anything can happen. He will have the option to opt in or be a free agent.

And it’s for that last reason why regardless of what is likely to happen, the Heat should absolutely explore everything and shouldn’t immediately cross anything out.

This is also where you’d also get the most discussion amongst Heat fans. Should the Heat even explore trading Butler mid-season? Should they just give him the extension that he wants? Should they continue going all in on this build even if there’s a likely chance that he could leave for nothing in the off-season?

It’s deciding on all of that is important because it could set the Heat back in the next rebuild or help them.

Let’s go through some of their options.

When it comes to the extension, or lack of it, that’s a good decision they’ve made from the start. Whatever the number is, what is the upside of extending Butler, even if it’s one extra year? Even if you believe in this season, are we going to bet on a 36-year-old next year being able to play even more games and be just as good through 82 games into the playoffs? We’re already having these questions now.

Who are the Heat even competing against? What team is lining up to give Butler a significant contract in free agency? Which team could do so and one that Butler would entertain?

That’s why there’s no rush or reason to go into an extension outside of sentimental value and accept that you’re prioritizing taking care of your own over what’s smart and better for the team long term.

That is a fine decision to make. Everyone always says basketball is just a cold-blooded business that will have owners ship players however they like. If that isn’t the route the Heat would want to take, especially with what happened with Dwyane Wade, it is understandable. At the same time, if that happens, there should be an acceptance that this won’t be good for upcoming seasons if the goal is to transition into a different build.

If having Butler retire with the Heat is important, then I also don’t want to see takes any time the Heat won’t have enough for another player that may be available.

My thought process is simply about the team going forward and doing everything that they can to set themselves up for the long-term. And that is not giving him whatever the extension and trading him.

That’s the big question. Should the Heat trade Butler period?

And for me, that’s an easy yes. In a perfect world, you’re trading him to the Golden State Warriors to give him the best possible chance of winning. You’re not shipping him to Detroit or New Orleans just because that’s the best offer available. Ideally, you also don’t go behind his back and pull a DeMar DeRozan trade either.

But again, these are things that matter on a personal level, off the court, and completely outside of basketball. There will be a lot of factors in play that we’ll never know, so for me they don’t matter to a big extent when trying to just have a discussion about what a team should do in general — obviously, they do matter and may outweigh the basketball in the real world.

That’s why strictly basketball wise, I don’t see a single reason why Butler shouldn’t be traded(unless you’re absolutely sure that this current team can legitimately compete with anyone, including the Celtics, and have as good of a chance as any team at a ring).

I’m camp sell 100%. This isn’t even considering that Butler could opt out and they lose him for nothing. Even if he had two more years on his deal, this would’ve been a serious conversation to have. His current contract just makes that a lot easier.

Why would you give yourself an option that you could lose a player for nothing? The only reason I can think of is if you’re the Toronto Raptors in 2019 and you don’t care if a player walks, if you have a good chance at a ring.

That’s it.

Now, I also don’t see the Heat as a legitimate contender. I don’t believe they can win a title. Can they have a similar run to 2023? Maybe. Can they strike gold again with hot shooting and matchup well with the right bracket? Sure.

None of that would change anything. You can guarantee me that they will not see the Celtics at any point in the playoffs and I would still be in favour trading Butler.

A deep run(unless it’s for a ring) doesn’t change that view. I believe it’s better sell a year too soon, than a year too late. Even if you are a strong believer in this season, are you also a strong believer for next year? That’s also assuming Butler would come back.

If he doesn’t come back, do you believe in this team that much, that you won’t mind turning into the Raptors post Leonard? Because that’s the likely scenario of what to expect.

When it comes to the trades for Butler, anything that involves as many picks and young players. Picks need to be in the discussion, which is going to be very, very unlikely because the Heat don’t care for them. If they are to trade Butler, they’re going to look for win-now players — that’s a topic for another a day, though.

They need to recoup some assets. They don’t really have contracts to trade. They don’t have many extra picks to trade. And honestly, how many of their young core would be enticing right now even if they did have picks to send for a star if they want to constantly compete?

The best way to recoup assets is by trading your top assets. Hello, the Boston Celtics. Hello, the Oklahoma City Thunder. Hello, the Houston Rockets. Knowing when your window has closed and looking to retool(even if you’re looking to compete) to give yourself more assets and extend the window is important.

Because what’s the alternative?

The worst-case scenario is you don’t extend Butler, he opts out and leaves for nothing. That’s the ultimate worst scenario.

Another scenario is he opts in and either stays on the team period, or you work out a sign and trade for a lesser value.

Or you extend him at some point and everyone gets what they want. Butler gets his money and looks to retire here. But where would that leave the Heat going forward?

How much money would Butler be looking for? He’s obviously not looking for the MLE? How much of his play is going to continue being even older and having more mileage? He is going to decline. There’s already been a decline with his limited and inconsistent high usage. That’s not going to suddenly jump back up.

Will that team even compete? Practically this same team but older with still limited assets to improve? It’s just being stuck in the cycle of mediocrity. But that’s again a topic for the Heat always looking to compete instead of changing their approach.

I just don’t see what the goal is here. Is it simply transitioning into a build of Herro-Adebayo with Butler as the aging vet still looking to be impactful in a limited role? Are we at that stage rather than a Butler build?

To wrap up, I would be very surprised if Butler is traded. It’s not how the Heat operate but their approach needs changing at this point. Committing to aging stars even at a lower number for multiple years to be good but not great is just another good way of remaining good but not great and the cycle continues.