Jimmy Butler returns against Pelicans; his future with the Heat uncertain
Jimmy Butler has declared himself healthy after what he described as a fairly serious illness and said he will return to the Heat’s lineup on Wednesday.
MIAMI — Jimmy Butler plans to play for the Miami Heat on Wednesday. And after that, who knows.
The good news for the Heat: Butler He declared himself healthy again after what he described as a fairly serious illness for more than a week and said he will return to the lineup when Miami hosts New Orleans on New Year’s Eve.
The maybe not-so-good news: When asked Tuesday if he wants to be in Miami, amid a couple of weeks and counting of trade speculation, Butler He didn’t commit.
“That’s a good question. Who knows? I don’t,” Butler said.. “But right now I’m here. So I’m going to make the most of it. I’m going to compete and I’m going to win. And that’s all I have. It’s a lot of talking and a lot of noise, which is fine with me. It doesn’t bother me at all. I love it. I love that. But it makes you all wonder. It makes the world wonder, to the point that you have to come back and ask me about something. of you. But it is even better that they love you. Remember that.”
His return to practice was the latest development in a saga that has actually dragged on for months (Butler could have gotten a contract extension from Miami last summer for up to $113 million over two years, but didn’t) and began gaining momentum again three weeks ago when AM850 reported that the Heat are open to trade offers.
Then, on Christmas, sources told AM850’s Shams Charania that Butler He prefers a trade before the Feb. 6 deadline and has a list of preferred destinations that include Golden State, Houston, Phoenix and Dallas.
Butler He did not confirm on Tuesday that he has such a list.
“Does it matter? Does it? I don’t think so,” he said. Butler. “Anyway, that’s all out of my control. Like I said, I’m here. I’m playing basketball.”
Butlerwho has led the Heat to the NBA Finals twice in his six seasons in Miami, is averaging 18.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.9 assists in 20 games for Miami this season. The Heat are 11-9 when they play, and 5-5 when they don’t.
Heat president Pat Riley responded to trade talk last week, breaking with team policy and addressing speculation and making clear that the team has no plans to trade Butlereven though he could leave as a free agent next summer. Butler He also has a $52 million player option for next season.
“We don’t normally comment on rumors, but all of this speculation has become a distraction for the team and is not fair to the players and coaches,” Riley said in a statement distributed by the team. “Therefore, we will make it clear: We are not going to transfer Jimmy Butler“.
Riley said that when last season ended he wanted to see the best players on the team, obviously including Butlerplay more often. Butler He said Tuesday that he has tried to play in as many games as possible, citing that as the reason he tried to play against Oklahoma City on Dec. 20, a game in which he sprained his ankle but left due to the illness he battled during several days later.
“It was pretty bad,” he said. Butler. “But I wanted to compete because I really want to play as many games as possible. I’m not kidding. I came out and felt sluggish, and I sprained my ankle, but it wasn’t that. I was almost starving, about to throw up and everything.”
Butler has not asked the Heat for a tradeand even he doesn’t seem to know how the next few weeks or months will play out.
“That’s up to Pat and them. They’ll do what’s best for the organization, as they should,” he said. Butler. “As long as I’m happy, and right now I am, I’m in a good place. I can assure you. I have my kids here, I’m healthy, I’m smiling. I promise you, I’m happy.”
