Beyond the contract, other issues also have led to Jimmy Butler’s increasing ambivalence toward remaining with Miami. A source said that Butler was caught off guard when Riley, during a May news conference, scolded him for saying that “Boston would be at home” and “New York damn sure would be [expletive] at home” if Butler had been wholesome for Miami’s five-game first-round playoff playoff loss in opposition to the Celtics, which he missed due to a knee damage. “For him to say that, I believed, ‘Is that Jimmy trolling, or is that Jimmy critical?’” Riley mentioned throughout his end-of-season press convention. “Should you’re not on the courtroom enjoying in opposition to Boston or on the courtroom enjoying in opposition to the New York Knicks, you must hold your mouth shut.” In accordance with a supply, Butler was additionally disenchanted that the Warmth didn’t publicly deny a Dec. 10 ESPN report that Miami was open to buying and selling him. -via Miami Herald / December 25, 2024
