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MIAMI, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 06: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat argues a technical foul with referee Brian Forte #45 against the Memphis Grizzlies during the first half at FTX Arena on December 06, 2021 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
NBA star Jimmy Butler revealed he’s still not fully over leaving the Miami Heat during a conversation with tennis great Coco Gauff. The two sports superstars were having a fun chat on camera when Butler started talking about his time in Miami. Gauff is a Florida native and roots for the Heat. Butler revealed that Miami “hurt” him by not offering a contract extension he desired to set up the Golden State Warriors trade.
The following conversation occurred on camera:
Butler: Your team hurt me, by the way. The Heat hurt me. The Heat hurt me. I just want to say. I’m just sayin’.
Coco: I know they did and I’m sorry about that. To be fair, I haven’t been to a game since.
Butler: Great! Switch alliances!
Coco: I can’t do that, though.
Butler: And remember Steph is on my team now, so like everyone loves Steph.
Coco: I do love Steph. He’s very nice.
Butler: Coco’s a Warriors fan! She said it! Coco loves the Warriors.
Coco: I’ll never betray my team. I’ll root for you, though.
Butler joked about Gauff switching fandoms and rooting for the Warriors instead of the Heat. Stephen Curry was used as a bargaining chip by Butler to get Coco rooting for Golden State. However, the tennis player revealed she’ll stay loyal to Miami, while wishing the best for Butler.
How Did The Heat Hurt Jimmy Butler?
Butler hoped to finish his career in Miami after a few epic seasons of success together. The Heat reached two NBA Finals with unexpected deep runs and fell one game short of a third Eastern Conference Championship in four years.
Miami’s head honcho Pat Riley did not want to pay Butler a max contract extension due to his older age and injuries forcing him to miss regular season games. Butler was among the best players in the world during the playoffs, but the regular season limitations saw the Heat rarely having a great seed.
Riley’s strong stance hurt Butler, who felt his playoff success and commitment to the franchise warranted an expensive extension. Butler started behaving in a manner that Miami disliked and demanded the trade that landed him in Golden State to get a new contract.
Did Jimmy Butler Prove Miami Right?
Unfortunately, the torn ACL suffered by Butler puts his future in doubt for the Warriors. Golden State extended Butler for two full seasons on a massive contract, but he will miss more than half of this season and a large percentage of next season.
The best-case scenario sees Butler back at some point in the first half of next season, if things break perfectly. However, even a return won’t confirm that Butler will ever be the All-Star caliber player fans and peers expect from him on the court.
The older age makes it much harder for Butler to work his way back quickly and play at his highest level. Miami feared that extending Butler could hurt their franchise, and that sadly appears to be true. Riley has yet to find a new superstar for the Heat, but they have cornerstone pieces like Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro to compliment the next big addition.
Joey Haverford Joey Haverford is a seasoned sports content writer with over 12 years of experience. He has covered the NBA, WNBA, MLB, NFL, and professional wrestling in the sports industry. More about Joey Haverford
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