Jimmy Butler: ‘The whole truth is going to come out’ at the request of the Heat
Two weeks later looking for a trade and serving a a seven-game suspension for “multiple instances of conduct detrimental to the team”, Jimmy Butlerwho stays with Miami Heathe returned to court Friday night.
Butler, who finished 133-113 loss at home on Denver Nuggets with 18 points on 7-of-15 shooting, talked about his absence after the loss.
“I knew I was going to play,” Butler said. “That’s what they told me, but everyone said a lot, except me, to tell you the truth.” So we’ll let people talk, as if they know everything, as if they have all the answers.
“Sooner or later the whole truth will come out, but until then we will continue to let people talk.” And if I’m here, I’ll go out there and play.
Butler also expressed frustration with the more reports regarding his relationship with Miami’s players and sparring with the front office.
“I expect people to talk,” he said. “Half the reason is that no one ever knows what I really do, so you just make things up, which is fine.” And, frankly, I don’t really pay attention to it. But I have people telling me, ‘Oh, they said this, they said that.’ So I guess everything is fine. I don’t have to clear anything up.
“So more power to you. Keep talking and we’ll see where we end up.”
Butler, 35, has a $52.4 player option for the 2025-26 season NBA season, who is expected to decline and become an unrestricted free agent this summer. The Phoenix Suns are reportedly among the teams that want it get Butler before the Feb. 6 NBA trade deadline.
In 23 games this season, Butler, a five-time All-NBA honoree, is averaging 17.6 points — his lowest since 2013-14 — 5.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1. 2 steals per game while shooting 54.7/35.3/79.4. Butler is also playing 30.9 minutes per game, his lowest mark since 2012-13.
Miami is 20-20, good for the ninth seed in the Eastern Conference.
Butler spent the past six seasons with the Heat, who with him entered the NBA Finals twice (2020 and 2023). He previously spent half a season with Philadelphia 76erswho bought Butler from Minnesota Timberwolveswhere he played one plus season. Butler spent the first six seasons of his NBA career with Chicago Bulls.
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2025-01-18 21:10:00
