Jimmy Butler once declared he’d never wear a Miami Heat jersey

Interestingly, a profile on Butler from back in his playing days with the Chicago Bulls features a provocative quote from him concerning his new favored destination. When asked what he would never wear, Butler replied “a Miami Heat jersey.”

It merits noting that Butler’s response came back at a time when the Big Three of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh were in the process of winning back-to-back NBA titles in South Beach. Much has changed since then, obviously, as Butler’s answer may have been inspired by his aversion to joining a so-called super team as well as the rivalry between the Bulls and the Heat.

With that in mind, Butler’s response from way back when is more amusing than anything. Opinions obviously can turn in a matter of years … or even a shorter amount of time.

After all, it was only about 15 short months ago when Butler, during a well-attended press conference at the Mall of America, made it seem like the Minnesota Timberwolves would be his team for the long haul.

“I love my people, anybody could tell you that,” Butler said at the June presser. “You all are my people and I will be in this community to the best of my ability. … Thank you. I’m so happy to be here, to represent this city now and I look forward to my future here.”

See how circumstances can change quickly? Although Butler never did say exactly how long his future would be in Minnesota. Now Butler is playing pickup games at Twin Cities health clubs instead of being in training camp with the T-Wolves. Crazy stuff.