Jimmy Butler continues to try and push his way out of Miami. After publicly demanding a trade away from the Heat and getting suspended seven games for it, you would think Butler would learn his lesson.
But he hasn’t, and now he has taken to social media. On his Instagram story, Butler uploaded a video talking to a barista at his coffee shop, making fun of their boss-employee relationship while alluding to the negative comments Pat Riley made about him last summer.
“This is our best guy right here. See, I gave you a compliment. That’s what bosses do, they build you up they don’t break you down.”
“See, I gave you a compliment. That’s what bosses do, they build you up they don’t break you down.”
– Jimmy Butler to his employee 😅
(h/t @lifer_305 )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 10, 2025
If it wasn’t clear that Butler was taking a shot at Pat Riley with just his words, he made it crystal clear when he turned to the camera and gave a wry smile and a thumbs up. Butler is a renowned troll. But rather than aim his trolling energy toward his opponents, he is doing so at the president of the Miami Heat.
Given Pat Riley’s history of bad relationships with superstar players, it is strange that Butler is poking the dragon. But Riley may acknowledge his part in those collapsing relationships, admitting that he might be washed as an executive recently as he doesn’t understand modern-day players.
It was reported recently that Butler’s relationship with Pat Riley never recovered after Riley told him to ‘shut his mouth’. And the above video from his Instagram story shows the breakdown of their relationship in the most sarcastic and coy way possible. But the former All-Star might have to interact with Riley soon enough.
It’s being reported that Butler will re-join the Miami Heat after his seven-game suspension, as the trade market for him is relatively soft. I’m sure Butler was hoping that he’d be traded away from the team before his suspension was over, but it appears that isn’t going to be the case.
The best-case scenario for Jimmy is that he performs brilliantly upon returning to the Heat, thus encouraging teams to pull the trigger on a massive trade for him.
Teams Skittish On Jimmy Butler Trade
To trade or not to trade for Jimmy Butler? That has been the question many NBA teams are struggling to answer. For the Golden State Warriors, despite their keen interest in the Heat star, they have decided to stay the course with their own stars, and not offer Butler the large sum of money that he is asking for.
The same cannot be said for the Phoenix Suns. Owner Mat Ishbia is reportedly ready to offer him a two-year $121 million contract extension if he arrives.
The problem the Suns face is being able to trade for Butler in the first place, as they will need to get rid of Bradley Beal in any deal, who has a no-trade clause he reportedly has no intention of waiving. If they can convince Beal to waive the clause, here is one way they can land Jimmy Buckets.
One team that hasn’t been mentioned in NBA circles as a landing spot for Jimmy is the Lakers. Carmelo Anthony believes that the Lakers are the prime destination for the former Eastern Conference Finals MVP, as he would form a bombastic trio with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Well, if the Lakers do want to go out and make the big move, here are three ways that they could pull it off.
Stay tuned to Fadeaway World for all the latest updates on the ongoing Jimmy Butler saga, along with all other trade news and rumors, and brilliant NBA analysis from our staff.
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