The Miami Heat have been at the forefront of some NBA drama after coach Erik Spoelstra and Jimmy Butler had a blowup with each other on the sideline of a recent game.
There’s been less discussion about the potential implications for Butler given the regular-season success the Heat has achieved this season being the top-seeded team in the Eastern Conference. On top of that, making an NBA Finals appearance in the bubble is another justification.
On a recent episode of The Hoop Collective podcast, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst questioned whether Jimmy Butler may be wearing out his welcome with the Miami Heat long-term. He’s not reporting something imminent, but again, pondering the possibility.
“The Jimmy Butler-Erik Spoelstra thing, ya know, Jimmy Butler grinds on his teammates,” said Windhorst. “I mean, he brings a lot to the table. There’s been several organizations that have been like, ‘We are ready for him to be out of here.’ And there’s been organizations where he’s been ready to be out of there. There is not a long history of harmonious marriages there for Jimmy.
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“So, when I’m seeing Spoelstra and I’m seeing Spoelstra saying to him, and I know it’s heat of the moment, ‘I always knew you were crazy.’ I think he’s speaking from his heart there, I think he does mean that. So I wonder, not only about this season, I wonder about Jimmy Butler long term in Miami, especially since he’s right on the edge there where his age and he’s been banged up a little bit, I just, I wonder about that.”
Jimmy Butler is in the midst of a strong 2021-22 season with averages of 21.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 5.6 assists in 53 appearances. The main knock on his play has been the regression he’s experienced in perimeter shooting as he’s converting at just a 22.2% clip.
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The Miami Heat are coming off an absolute stomping by the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round of the 2021 NBA playoffs. If they get handed an early exit again in this year’s playoffs, could they potentially look to make significant changes to the roster?
