Jimmy Butler skipped morning shootarounds on multiple occasions and insisted on private flights separate from the Miami Heat’s team charter, according to Jake Fischer in the latest Stein Line report.
It was this type of behavior and demand that contributed to the Heat suspending him for conduct detrimental to the team.
Speaking with Sirius XM NBA Radio, former Heat star Tim Hardaway Sr. revealed team president Pat Riley has sent a 10-page letter to the player’s association detailing Butler’s transgressions.
“You don’t disrespect authority and that’s what Jimmy Butler has been doing,” Hardaway said. “It’s about accountability. If you can’t take rejection, because everyone’s been saying ‘yes, yes, yes’ to you, now the world’s coming to an end.”
Butler Has Erased Benefit Of Doubt
As the saying goes, “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.”
Butler has made ugly exits from both the Minnesota Timberwolves and Philadelphia 76ers. After such a great run with Miami, it’s easier to look at this situation and recognize who the common denominator has been.
It’s harder still to envision Butler not engaging in the type of behavior detailed here.
If ‘Heat Culture’ of all places can’t appease him, then which culture can? There will surely be teams that know they can get better in the here and now by trading for Butler, but they will more seriously be considering if the juice is worth the squeeze.
Roster Building At Center Of Butler’s Frustration?
The report also indicated the Heat moving on from Max Strus, Gabe Vincent and Caleb Martin in free agency was not well received by Butler. All of them were key contributors during Miami’s run to the Finals in 2023.
Butler is reportedly closest to Strus of the three, owing to a shared sense of humor.
There was also some insight on Kyle Lowry’s relationship with Butler. Despite how close the two are off the court and continue to be, sources suggested even Lowry grew tired of Butler’s headstrong ways on the court. Lowry declined comment.
Does a crumbling roster — competitiveness-wise — validate what Butler’s doing? In his mind, clearly the answer is yes.
