Pat Riley Sends Clear Message on Jimmy Butler

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Joshua Rosenblum | Last updated May 9, 2025 5:54 PM ET

In a candid end-of-season press conference, Miami Heat president Pat Riley addressed the elephant in the room: the fallout with star player Jimmy Butler.

Riley’s remarks, as shared by Wes Goldberg on X, cut straight to the point: “There’s no doubt that what happened with Jimmy had a tremendous impact on our team. There’s no doubt about it. The buck stops with me. I’ll take that hit.”

Yet, he stopped short of delving into the regular season drama, adding, “What happened in the regular season, I don’t want to discuss.”

Riley’s statement reflects a leader taking accountability while simultaneously drawing a line.

The Heat’s 2024-25 season was tumultuous, culminating in a 37-45 record and a first-round playoff sweep by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Butler, traded to the Golden State Warriors after a contract extension feud, had been a cornerstone of Miami’s recent NBA Finals runs.

For a team that just had its first losing season since the 2018-19 season, Riley's optimistic words are a low-risk, high-reward move for a franchise that is desperate to turn things around.

The Heat are now at a crossroads. Riley’s comments underscore a broader shift, as he announced the team would not “run it back” with the current roster.

With potential moves targeting new talent and ambiguity surrounding Tyler Herro’s future, Riley is clearly focused on rebuilding the Heat’s culture and competitiveness.

His message is unmistakable: the Heat are moving forward, with or without past stars, as Riley aims to steer the franchise toward a new era of success.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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