New-look Jimmy Butler puts Damian Lillard on notice after failed Heat trade

Rocking a hairstyle better suited for a Hawthorne Heights concert, Butler arrived at Monday's media day in what he described as his "emo" phase. Wearing his heart on his sleeve, Butler firmly expressed his feelings on Miami's failed attempt to acquire seven-time All-Star Damian Lillard this offseason. 

"I was excited and then angry and then sad and then excited again and then pi--ed off and then sad again, and now I'm excited," Butler said. "I don't tell anybody how I feel. I just handle it accordingly... I am happy for Damian Lillard... I’m gonna go beat Dame, Giannis [Antetokounmpo] and [Milwaukee Bucks coach] Adrian Griffin on our way to a title.”

After a three-month chase to pry Lillard from Portland, Miami lost out to the Bucks, who acquired Lillard from the Blazers in a three-team deal including the Phoenix Suns. 

Ultimately, the Heat's inability to secure Lillard could prove to be a blessing in disguise. With Butler and fellow All-Star Bam Adebayo off limits in trade discussions, Miami would have needed to gut their roster for Lillard to land in South Beach — namely by parting with former Sixth Man of the Year Tyler Herro, who is coming off back-to-back 20 PPG scoring seasons. 

Miami spent most of the summer painting Lillard as the player destined to get them over the hump in the East. With Lillard out of the picture, the Heat move forward with a core that has advanced to the conference finals in three of the past four seasons, remaining a legitimate contender to hoist the Larry O'Brien trophy this year. 

"I know what I'm capable of and what my guys are capable of," Butler said via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. "We're going to end up in the Finals and this time we'll win it."