A match without any desire against the Pacers, at the end of which Erik Spoelstra even left him on the bench. Jimmy Butler and the Heat, it definitely seems over and despite Pat Riley's press release regarding the player's future, Butler has officially requested a transfer.
Harsh words at the post-match press conference last night. To the question: “Do you think you will find the desire to be in play with the Heat again?”, Jimmy Butler replied:
Probably not. I'm happy here off the field, but I want to be dominant again. I want to play and help this team win, right now that’s not the case.”
A disillusioned tone for a player who definitely no longer wants to be involved in Heat affairs. Shams Charania drives the point home by indicating that relations between Jimmy and Pat Riley are cut off despite an attempt to resolve the conflict – which failed – via a meeting between the player's agents on the one hand, Pat Riley and Micky Arison (owner of the Heat) of the other.
???? Jimmy Butler has requested a transfer! pic.twitter.com/D4L36h3qgR
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) https://twitter.com/TrashTalk_fr/status/1875062231261749563?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Concerning the player's requests, they have also evolved. The one who wanted to go to a team capable of going for the title has lowered his ambitions and now wants to go where it is possible. Understand where the Heat will get to trade him. A decision which confirms for good his desire to leave.
Shams Charania specifies that one of the points that fractured the relationship between Butler and the Heat for good was his level of play during the match against the Pelicans. Some members of the franchise's management would have found his contribution “insufficient” despite Miami's victory. Of course, the entire relationship has been fragile overall since the team's refusal to extend him last summer.
Breaking: Jimmy Butler has told the Heat he wants to be traded per @ShamsCharania, @WindhorstESPN pic.twitter.com/5hWJJrvo2C
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1875035151459323908?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Are we therefore heading towards a Ben Simmons situation, with Jimmy Butler refusing to play from the trade deadline, if he ever had to stay in Florida? It's not really impossible. And it would be a big failure for the Heat, who should – in our opinion – do everything possible to transfer their player before the start of February.
Source : ESPN
