The contrast between how the Heat and Jimmy Butler‘s camp viewed a January 7 meeting between Butler and team president Pat Riley was indicative of the divide that had developed between the two sides in recent months, as James Jackson, Sam Amick, and Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic write in a fascinating story detailing the 35-year-old’s final weeks in Miami.
Like Butler, whose father died last February, Riley lost his father when he was relatively young. Sources tell The Athletic that tears welled in Riley’s eyes as he spoke to Butler about that subject, attempting to connect with him on a human level and repair their fractured relationship during a two-hour meeting.
However, a source close to Butler tells The Athletic that the 35-year-old viewed Riley’s behavior during the meeting as “unhinged and disturbing.” According to Jackson, Amick, and Krawcznyski, the Heat star later told people close to him that Riley referenced Butler’s late father multiple times and offered “unsolicited and unwanted” parenting advice. He left the meeting more determined than ever to be traded out of Miami.
Team sources pushed back again the claim that Riley offered parenting advice, telling The Athletic that Riley believes he let Butler guide the conversation and only became “emotional” when Butler brought up the topic of his father. According to Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald, the Heat viewed the moment as a raw, vulnerable one for Riley and found it disrespectful that Butler’s camp characterized the team president as “unhinged.”
The two sides also disagree about what occurred in the aftermath of that meeting. According to The Athletic, Butler’s camp contends that Riley said shortly after the meeting that the Heat intended to lift Butler’s initial seven-game suspension and have him rejoin the team immediately, only to call back 90 minutes later to explain that couldn’t happen until the forward met with team owner Micky Arison in person.
Arison was on vacation until January 16 in the Caribbean, however, which meant Butler would have to fly to the Bahamas to meet him, per Ramona Shelburne and Brian Windhorst of ESPN. As The Athletic relays, Butler’s camp contends that Riley suggested the six-time All-Star could pay his own way there if he wanted to expedite the process.
However, team sources dispute that Riley ever offered to lift Butler’s suspension, telling The Athletic that the possibility was discussed prior to the meeting with the caveat that the meeting would have to go well.
“The meeting didn’t go well enough,” a club source tells The Athletic.
As a result, team sources say, it was determined that Butler’s suspension wouldn’t be lifted right away and he would meet with Arison after the Heat owner returned from his vacation.
Here are a few more of the most interesting details from the behind-the-scenes reports on Butler’s final season with the Heat:
- Prior to this season, Butler had been permitted to fly separately from the team if needed as long as he received permission from head coach Erik Spoelstra, but Riley decided in November that he – rather than Spoelstra – would make the final decision on Butler’s alternate travel plans, sources tell Jackson, Amick, and Krawczynski. A source with knowledge of Butler’s thinking felt that the change was one of several the team made in an effort to alienate him.
- Butler missed a Jan. 22 Heat flight, which resulted in his second team-imposed suspension. According to Jackson, Butler’s camp believes he was given permission last summer to skip that flight and fly to Milwaukee later in the day so that he could attend a promotional event for a padel tournament, but the Heat have no recollection of signing off on that request.
- Sources tell The Athletic that Butler’s agent called Riley on the morning of Jan. 22 to remind him of their alternate travel plan, with Riley responding to say he expected Butler to be on the team flight. Butler’s camp believed Spoelstra had approved Butler’s arrangement and that there had been a communication breakdown between the head coach and Riley, but team sources contend that Spoelstra didn’t approve the request and tell The Athletic that it wouldn’t have mattered if he had, given that Riley’s sign-off was now required.
- When they suspended Butler on Jan. 22, the Heat sent a letter to Butler, Lee, and NBPA lawyers detailing their justification for the two-game ban, according to Jackson, Amick, and Krawczynski, who obtained a copy of that letter. Within it, Riley claimed that Butler had threatened to skip practices and not listen to Spoelstra; that he failed to give his “best efforts” in recent games; and that he was “combative and argumentative” in meetings with Riley and Arison.
- When Spoelstra informed the Heat during a Jan. 27 shootaround that Haywood Highsmith would be replacing Butler in the starting lineup, Butler initially thought the coach was joking, sources tell The Athletic. He felt as if the decision to bench him and to not inform him before telling the team was “meant to provoke him,” per Jackson, Amick, and Krawczynski. According to Jackson, multiple Heat sources insisted the decision was done to maintain continuity rather than as a punishment or provocation. Butler left the court shortly after Spoelstra made that announcement and was subsequently suspended indefinitely for leaving practice early.
- “Everything changed” from the Heat’s perspective when Butler left a Dec. 20 game after tweaking his ankle and cited a stomach virus, Jackson writes for the Herald. Although Miami didn’t question whether or not Butler was ill, a team official thought it was “curious” that the forward refused to be tested for COVID-19, according to Jackson. The club was subsequently irked when Butler posted a photo of himself playing dominoes on the locker room on Dec. 29, Jackson says — he missed that day’s game in Houston due to his illness. From that point onward, the Heat considered Butler to be disengaged and became more open to trading him. They eventually finalized a deal with Golden State on deadline day.
And now this is the Warriors problem as they gave away their second best player making half as much as Jimmy up. My Warriors fandom is on pause while Jimmy is part of the team.
Seems like the problems here were lack of communication on Riley’s and Arison’s part. That wasn’t all, they purposely drove a wedge between Butler and organization to drive him away by moving the goalposts. Arison and Riley didn’t come to the Warriors, only Jimmy Butler so Butler’s biggest problem has been resolved. I love Wiggins but playoff Jimmy is twice the player he ever could be. I’ve never been a Warriors fan but I’m a huge Curry fan. The Warriors as an organization owe it to Curry to do whatever they can to try to help him win another ring.
It’s a bummer because Curry is such a great, centered star. Any owner would be lucky to have him, and it’s felt like a disservice that they didn’t max his productive years.
It’s like that 2 timeline BS, and then trying to dave their draft capital when they obviously needed more production from vets, etc.
Lacob wanted Wiseman, couldn’t get rid of that disease of overvaluing draft picks … and mostly whiffing on draft picks when Myers was still there.
He won 4 rings. Seems pretty maxed out to me. What other player has won more?
It’s obviously all on Butler for being a primadonna… Acting like a child in any workplace worth respecting would suspend him for his actions…
Jimmy wanted to get paid and that’s it. Miami said no thanks.
Both parties forced the issue this deadline before the ugliness of the opt in appeared next summer. Everything worked out fine, and as in any divorce there’s going to be a little blood on the sword.
Scarlett, you go on and on day after day pointing your finger at Jimmy.
Did you read the article above? There’s suggestions that perhaps Miami didn’t hold their end of the agreement with travel plans and things like that.
Some players cave, but some dogs trapped in a corner bite back.
Your one-sided view regarding this is not a fair assessment and it’s wrong to keep writing the same opinion with these blinders on day after day.
I read the article, and even if Miami didn’t handle things perfectly (which I have no problem with with how they handled their child), that doesn’t excuse Butler’s behavior. This isn’t the first time he’s pulled something like this, and it won’t be the last. At some point, it’s not about being a ‘dog’—it’s just being a diva. Plenty of great players deal with adversity without making it all about themselves. But with Butler, there’s always drama, always an excuse.
Indy, So when the team goes back on, it’s promise to pay you. What do you do?
Cave and play nice? Or bite back?
Different dudes have different methods. As with many relationships, you take the good with the bad or you’re alone and you are the Charlotte Hornets.
Seems like Draymond Green is responsible for 4 championships so I think the Warriors know a little bit about handling divas and dogs properly.
If the team really screwed him over, handle it behind closed doors like a professional instead of throwing a tantrum and bailing on your teammates. Lots of players have contract disputes or issues with management without making it all about them. But with Butler, it’s always drama, always an excuse, always some passive-aggressive stunt. That’s not leadership—that’s selfishness.
And using Draymond as an example? The guy’s been suspended multiple times for cheap shots and has actively hurt his team with his antics. The Warriors tolerated him because they had Curry & Klay to carry the load. Miami doesn’t have that kind of margin for error and Butler acting like a diva just drags them down.
At this point, the Warriors are willing to take all those risks. All of them.
And you know what, the Phoenix Suns were willing to do so also. Interesting.
I understand why teams like the Warriors and Suns were interested in him, but Butler needs to grow up, stop causing issues, and show more respect for his teammates. He should also appreciate everything Miami and the league has done for him.
Behind closed doors? Like Pat Riley did when he told Jimmy to shut up in the media?
Admittingly there was no winner in this Miami Butler blow up. We can all see that.
I’ve always liked you Taco !! Well written.
And what about Jimmy’s problems with the Bulls? And his problems with the Wolves? And his problems with the Sixers? Were Pat Riley and Arison part of those teams?
This is the third organization that Jimmy did this to. Communication is used as an excuse here by his camp. Also Jimmy has never won a title although he is a great player. I think he thinks he’s greater than he is.
Jimmy wants to be treated as a priority. If you do so you have a guy that will give his all. If not than he wants out, he doesn’t deal with B.S.
the main problem here is they gave Butler vip treatment to fly seperately. That opened doors to misunderstandings. They should have made rules that applied to all players and stick with it.
Wake up Brabo. You’re just afraid because a dog showed his teeth. That dog‘s on the Warriors now and he has his steak. Now he goes to war.
Get the impression golden state are reenactors more than enlisted soldiers lol
We’ll find out soon enough Lil D. But I’m thinking soldiers.
Well except for Brabo.., he said he was suspending his warrior’s fan status while Jimmy was on the team.
I guess he would fall under the bandwagon category that was discussed so much this week. Things go well he’s in, things don’t go to his liking, ok he’s out.
So you are admitting things wont go well for the Warriors with Jimmy? I’d watch Ky Bowman and Jordan Poole over Jimmy on the warriors any day
Brabo, why are you commenting?
You said you were suspending your Warriors fan status while Jimmy was on the team.
Write back in 2 1/2 years OK?
Dont worry! I am still an nba fan and a basketball fan above all else! I talk about all the teams, so that wont be a problem! You will still be hearing from me =)
Other teams are fine. But just be a man of your word. Don’t talk Warriors. Thank you.
When did I ever say I wasnt going to talk about the Warriors? I said I would pause my fandom. I am not a Lakers fan but I still talk about them.
But since this your definition, I am sure YOU will follow it and not talk about any other team huh lol
I’m a fan of the Warriors and I support them. You keep bashing them and it’s getting old.
At this point just mute me idc you are the one that came under my comment and started this mess
This is some quality NBA drama.
It’s like a bad soap opera. Who plays Riley? Pacino. Jimmy? Jamie Foxx.
I’m sorry Heat fan, I know you love your “culture” and all, but your billionaire owner, whose life is like a vacation compared to the rest of us, couldn’t be bothered on his Caribbean vacation – during the season! – to talk with your disgruntled max contract player? The player, a millionaire to be sure, would have to pay his way to meet with the billionaire on his vacation?? HAHAHAHA. You can’t make this stuff up. Culture, indeed.
It’s pocket change to Butler…
He took a self imposed holiday so had time as well…
Anyone serious about a workplace meeting has the meeting at the workplace.
That is proper protocol and someone wasn’t willing to make the effort so that indicates quite a bit about how things were in the relationship department between player and team.
Clearly MIA are the liars here, I mean Riley’s behaviour it’s unhinged and disturbing, enough said!
Glad Butler got out of there!
Best city, worst organisation in the NBA!
Miami sucks, Floridians fly by it on the way to the Keys.
This all is just pathetic. Your grown ups and you have obligations so fulfill them. You have a job and commitment. All the people involved should be embarrassed and ashamed no matter how much money any of them make. People need to get back to the way it was. No excuses no special treatment and if you can’t abide by the same rules everyone follows. Then your gone. Players need to honor contracts and if a player wants to try to demand things send them home with no pay. Also make it they can’t come back for years.
Over the next 4 years that just ain’t gonna happen…
What a ridiculous suggestion thank God you aren’t in charge of anything important
At e
At the end of the day… if you are a regular employee on a regular job… you have to comply by the rules or you get suspended or fired.
Absolutely correct and Jimmy’s goal was to get fired. How can anyone not see this?
He wanted it out because he felt like he was betrayed by the team regarding things said things promised etc.
Jimmy “I’m out of Miami… To the next one”
Warriors: “Let’s see where these $120mill are going”
I can guarantee you, Joe Lacob is not going to promise Jimmy something and then take it away because he felt like it.
That’s not how the Warriors work. They don’t promise you four and give you two. They promise you two years, they give you two years, then they sign for two years. Take it or leave it.
No going back, this is the trolley. You either get on or you don’t. We’ll even let you drive lol.
Heat culture my ass. Players win in the NBA and the Heat lost their best one.
But they got Andrew Wiggins and the 20th pick in this year‘s draft !! Plus 2 1/2 years of slow Mo.
Should be noted butler is not the only recent player to be done with the Heat. Lebron bailed too.
I don’t know if LeBron bailed, but he certainly wanted to be in LA and be like Mike. Movie star endorsements easier to commit to etc.
The guy who got screwed was Dwyane Wade from what I understand. The heat will use you and abuse you until they’re done with you then be on your way.
I don’t think I know the whole Dwyane Wade story but I don’t think that ended well. It may have been repaired since, but there were a few bruises at the end of that player/team relationship.
Lebron chases rings, when other people attract players to win them. Guy is like the kid that tried to hang out in different friend groups and take a picture to post on the internet proving it while the other people in the photo are all confused why he’s even here.
A nice little third-hand soap opera of disputed second-hand hearsay and wild rumors, spread here. And some people still claim that a subscription to “The Athletic” doesn’t pay!
Although picturing Riley bawling like a baby, staring at the ceiling howling “Daaaddyyy….!!!” with Butler and his camp watching in open-mouthed disbelief, exudes some comical value.
By the end of the 2024 season, Ol’ jimmy will have earned $424 MM throughout his career and probably couldn’t care less about what some team owner and his GM think of him. Come to think of it, he might have played his part in this drama for pure entertainment purposes.
Talk about a worthless article.
Angry man yells at cloud lol
Jimmy is unstable. He seems like the kind of guy you have to walk on egg shells around
You’re probably right. Like the girlfriend you don’t wanna piss off because they make every everybody’s day horrible if they’re not happy.
You walk on eggshells around them and don’t want to upset the Apple cart lol.
Not a way to live or run a locker room, but probably an OK gamble for a year or so. Because with that you get a warrior.
You get mamba who will put you on his back and carry you to the finals so Steph can shoot you to a win.
Riley trying to “connect” with a player is very disturbing. Did Riley also braid his hair and wore Fubu, asking Butler to smoke out with him? did Riley pour liquor to the ground for all his dead homies?
I’ve been places, where someone is asked, or does, try to relate to an employee. To find out what is driving them towards their decision making.
People should be able to relate, no matter their lifestyle, on some basic level.
It could be, that Butler thought he was the one that had all the power. And didnt have to deal with any of this.
He could demand the team to be traded. And refuse others.
And in this instance, it is on some level, proven true. He was traded to a team that wanted him, AND gave him 100 mil.
On the heat, they have to be thrilled they were at least able to send him somewhere.
From their side, reading between the lines. Sounds like they gave Butler extra treatment, or at least some kinda treatment. Then decided to bump it upstairs, or upstairs requested it.
Where they were no longer willing to put up with whatever he does. Butler didnt like some of the changes, or wasnt willing to believe the changes. And he didn’t like it one bit.
The parts of the story where he became petty, of not willing to play, or play hard, to me is the most damning. If true.
I’m sure there’s another side.