Jimmy Butler told NBA reporters at media day that the Miami Heat will win the 2024 championship. The Heat lost to the Denver Nuggets in the 2023 Finals in five games. Miami has reached two Finals in the Butler era, which began in 2019-20, but the team is 0-2.
Butler agreed to a three-year, $146.4 million veteran contract extension with the Heat in August 2021. The All-Star will make $45.2 million this season and $48.8 million in 2024-25. Butler has a player option worth $52.4 million for the 2025-26 season. The Marquette product becomes extension-eligible again next summer.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat Updates
One of the best players in the NBA, Butler averaged 22.9 points, 5.9 rebounds and 5.3 assists for the Heat last season while shooting 53.9% from the field, 35.0% from beyond the arc and 85.0% from the free-throw line in 64 games. The Texas native guided Miami to the NBA Finals by averaging 28.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.7 assists in the 2023 Eastern Conference playoffs against the Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks and Celtics.
Butler is averaging 21.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.9 assists in 231 games with the Heat. He will make the Hall of Fame one day, which is remarkable considering the fact that Butler was homeless at one point as a teenager.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat Updates
Damian Lillard wanted the Portland Trail Blazers to trade him to the Heat. However, Lillard was traded to the Bucks. The Heat are expected to start Kyle Lowry, Tyler Herro, Butler, Kevin Love and Bam Adebayo this season.
It will be fascinating to see if Butler is able to lead the Heat to the promised land. Miami hasn’t won a championship since 2013.
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