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Miami Heat’s Potential Drastic Jimmy Butler Decision Get Intriguing Hint From League Executives
Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The future of Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler in South Beach has gained more attention since his team struck out of the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs. Although Butler is still under contract with Miami, he only has two maximum years with the Heat at the moment, with the last season (2025-26) carrying a player option worth over $52 million.

Butler is eligible for an extension but Heat President Pat Riley has previously hinted that Miami isn’t committed to that at the moment. While Butler is undeniably a terrific player, his availability has always been a big question. He has not played in more than 64 games in any of the last six seasons. He suited up for 60 games in the 2023-24 campaign but he was not there on the court when the Heat needed him the most, with Miami falling prey to the Boston Celtics in five games in the opening round of this year’s postseason.

Jimmy Butler’s Future With the Miami Heat In the Eyes of League Executives

However, all that uncertainty surrounding Butler doesn’t seem enough to convince some league executives that Miami and its top star are going to part ways in the offseason.

Via Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports:

A far murkier dynamic is that of Jimmy Butler, who’s extension eligible in Miami. The Sixers, of course, have been in the Butler business before. He and Embiid maintained a close relationship, and Butler may have been the All-Star whom Morey most often attempted to acquire in Houston, sources said. At this juncture, however, league executives are of the mind Butler will most likely remain with the Heat.

Butler averaged 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game in the 2023-24 campaign.

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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