Miami Heat: Pat Riley Shares 100% Honest Opinion on Jimmy Butler Drama

However, Butler’s success in Golden State makes it clear that the Dubs were the clear winners of the trade-deadline transaction between the two squads. It’s hard to deny this fact when Jimmy Buckets effectively resurrected the Dubs while the Heat are in basketball limbo.

While fans wonder about their favorite team’s future, Riley cleared the air on the drama that transpired during Butler’s final days in a Miami jersey.

Pat Riley will not apologize for the Miami Heat Jimmy Butler drama despite the team’s early playoff exit

Riley recently went public with his thoughts on the Jimmy Butler saga. He explained that he will not apologize for his decision not to extend Butler, insisting that his actions were for the team’s best interests.

Per ClutchPoints’ Zachary Winberger:

“I’m not going to apologize for saying no on the contract extension when we didn’t have to, and I don’t think I should, and I will always say that to the players if I was coaching, keep your mouth shut, I’ll see you next training camp, and you get back on the court. But it’s different today with players. So, anyhow, that’s what I want to talk about with Jimmy. I’ve been through those kinds of situations before, even with this team, a couple times. And so it’s over. It’s done. I wish him well, good luck to him, and I hope deep down in his heart somewhere. He wishes us well too.”

Butler enjoyed his most dominant stretch of basketball with the Heat. In his six years with the franchise, he averaged 21.0 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 5.7 APG, and 1.7 SPG. His reputation as an incredible playoff performer and a fascinating off-court figure blossomed during his days in South Beach.

While it’s unlikely that Butler will ever suit up for Miami again, it might be nice to know that Riley still thinks positively of his days in the organization.