Jimmy Butler sought a trade from the Miami Heat because he felt the franchise was “moving without him in mind and he wanted to be more valued,” sources tell Marc Spears. The Heat were not interested in extending Butler last offseason and they also shifted the offense this season to focus more on Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo.
While Butler preferred a trade to the Phoenix Suns and the Golden State Warriors initially sought a trade for Kevin Durant, the two sides now seem to be an excellent fit for each other. After the trade, Butler said he had a conversation with both Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. The Warriors also committed to butler in the form of a two-year, $111 million contract extension through the 26-27 season.
“I saw a group that wanted me to be a part of it,” Butler said. “That’s all you ever wanted to be is wanted in this life, not just in this league. In anything, you want to be wanted. Needed is like a necessity. Wanted is like somebody’s choosing to bring you aboard this. I think that’s the ultimate sign of respect.
“I talked to both [Curry and Green], but I’ve talked to both of them for a while. But they said, ‘We can do something special. We need what you bring. The winning mentality, the hard nose on both sides of the ball.’ I think that’s what you want. That’s what they told me that I bring and I’m like, ‘Come on with it.’ “