Former NBA star Patrick Beverley has weighed in on Jimmy Butler’s drama with the Miami Heat.
There have been multiple reasons cited for Jimmy Butler’s anger with the Miami Heat, which further exploded this past week.
Butler has been suspended indefinitely after walking out of practice, amid claims he was ‘provoked‘ by the organization, after being told he was being benched.
Among the reasons for Butler’s anger, many have tied it to the Heat’s failure to bring more stars to the team to compete for titles.
But the theme that keeps coming back, is a financial one. Butler wants to be paid.
Speaking to his podcast, former NBA star Patrick Beverley reflected on the situation, and does not expect Butler to ease up in his approach, “When has he ever let anything die down, from Philly, to Minnesota, Bulls, to now?”
Beverley identifies Butler’s gripe as a clearly financial one. He pointed to Tyler Herro‘s four-year $130m extension signed in 2022, and Bam Adebayo‘s $166m extension signed in 2024. He says it is simply a case of Butler wanting his money.
He explained: “Jimmy wants to get paid, the Miami Heat they paid Tyler Herro they paid Bam. So from Jimmy Butler as a player you looking around, I’m like how ____ they get an extension and I don’t? What’s going on? Do you not feel the same way?
“Obviously all the extra-curricular stuff off the court, different hairs, different shoes colors, team flights, stuff like that, when we talked about this last pod, if the relationship is broken, it’s hard to go to work every day.
“He went to practice they told him I’m starting off the bench. What the ____? From his mind, ‘I did what you asked me to do, I’m here, still playing, don’t know what my future is I’m still playing’. You know how hard it is?”
Beverley explained that from a NBA star’s perspective, Butler will feel like he is risking his future amid injury concerns every time he steps on the court, without a long-term extension. And now he simply wants a fresh start.
He added: “‘My colleagues around me got paid, I want an extension, extension is not there, I want to go to somewhere who wants to pay me’.”
“Is he doing it right, I don’t know its his way, no one can say he’s doing it right, doing it wrong. Could he have done things better obviously, but in this game, in the NBA you got to stand firm on your ground. He did it in Minnesota.”
But he reflected that from the team’s point of view, he gets it too, adding: “Heat organization, no one is bigger than the Miami Heat.”
There is rampant speculation across the NBA over what the future could hold for Jimmy Butler before the February 6 trade deadline, with insider Brian Windhorst insisting the Miami Heat are now determined to trade him, having previously met him with fierce resistance.
De’Aaron Fox being thrown into the trade market has added a further complexity to talks across the league, but it could open up some more movement and flexibility, that ends up benefiting Butler.
The 76ers have been floated as a surprise destination, with the Warriors tipped as the only team desperate enough to land Butler, and the Memphis Grizzlies also linked.
But the favorites are the Phoenix Suns, Butler’s preferred choice. But a deal would have to be a multi-team trade, due to their limited trade assets, and Miami not wanting Bradley Beal.
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