As the weeks wane, more details, rumors, stories, and reasons emerge regarding Jimmy Butler‘s tension-filled saga with the Miami Heat. Everything from planes and practices to money and extensions, this captivating, almost season-long storyline still hasn’t reached its finale. Until then, the conversation around Butler’s tenure in Miami and why he wants out so badly continues. If you ask former NBA player Patrick Beverly his thoughts on the matter, he’ll tell you it’s all about the money. However, it’s not just Butler’s in the frame, but also his teammate’s money.
Patrick Beverly Dishes on Jimmy Butler’s Tension with Heat
Jimmy Butler’s Frustrations with Miami Heat Related to Teammate Extensions, Says Patrick Beverly
Butler’s playing days in Miami are behind him as he serves his permanent suspension, which Pat Riley levied. While the Heat front office works on finding a trade for their disgruntled superstar, Butler may not be playing, but he’s still the most talked-about figure in the NBA. Details have emerged recently about Butler missing team flights, being late, engaging in unprofessional behavior, and, most recently, walking out of a Heat practice. That was the final straw, as the third suspension was handed down.
There are also many reasons why Butler is desperately trying to exit Miami. His extension, or lack thereof, has largely remained the biggest issue going back to the offseason. He wanted a long-term extension, but Riley wouldn’t give it to him. However, Butler’s disappointment with Miami reportedly goes back a couple of years, starting with the team separating from some of Butler’s favorite teammates, including Kyle Lowry and Gabe Vincent.
Now, two other former teammates have entered the fold: Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo. However, their involvement has to do with contracts and extensions. In other words, Miami gifted Herro and Bam extensions, and Butler received no such gift of his own. So, like many previous player-team divorces, Butler’s divorce with Miami is mainly centered on money.
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Herro and Adebayo have each received extensions in recent years—Herro in 2022 and Bam in 2024. Herro signed for four years and $130 million. Bam’s extension was three years and $166 million. Beverly talked about their extensions turning Butler off on his podcast, The Pat Bev Podcast. [27:00 mark]
“Jimmy wants to get paid, the Miami Heat they paid Tyler Herro they paid Bam. So from Jimmy Butler as a player you looking around, I’m like how ____ they get an extension and I don’t? What’s going on? Do you not feel the same way?” Beverly continued, “He went to practice, they told him I’m starting off the bench. What the ____? From his mind, ‘I did what you asked me to do, I’m here, still playing, don’t know what my future is I’m still playing’. You know how hard it is? My colleagues around me got paid, I want an extension, extension is not there, I want to go to somewhere who wants to pay me.’”
Riley and the Heat evidently made it clear that the future belongs to Bam and Herro, and sources have indicated in recent weeks that the organizations’ focus on them is playing a significant role in Butler’s situation, apart from not getting paid. Butler’s reasons have value, and Miami’s reasons also have value. It truly is a stalemate, but soon to be over.
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