Requested how his workforce has handled the drama the previous six weeks, which included three Butler suspensions, Spoelstra mentioned: “I’ve had it with totally different groups. I felt it was much less with this workforce, and that’s not taking away from something that the group needed to undergo emotionally the previous a number of weeks. “I actually commend the group for staying the course and specializing in the current second. You do wish to have empathy for guys when it will get near the commerce deadline. This isn’t just fantasy sports. These are human beings. Having to move and change franchises midseason, that can’t be easy. That’s the business we chose, the part people don’t think about on the outside. It’s an amazing profession, not always the best business.”
Supply: Miami Herald
Supply: Miami Herald
Extra on this storyline
Everybody agrees that every assembly contained emotional, heated discussions. The Athletic earlier Friday morning reported that Butler described Riley as “unhinged” throughout their assembly. However, Heat sources told ESPN that the same word — “unhinged” — is how they described Butler’s behavior in his meeting with the Arisons. -via ESPN / February 7, 2025
When Butler first got here to the Warmth in summer time 2019, Butler was in Riley’s workplace celebrating the signing of the four-year, $142 million deal that landed him in Miami. The 2 males cracked open a bottle of Screaming Eagle cabernet from Riley’s personally curated wine cellar contained in the Warmth workplaces. Riley was telling stories, and he asked Butler who the most talented player he ever played with was. Butler answered quickly: Wiggins, the 2014 No. 1 pick and his teammate with the Timberwolves. Riley was shocked, those that have been within the room remembered, and joked that Butler may have to be reduce off from any extra wine. However Butler insisted. Wiggins’ expertise was unimaginable. 5 years later, they have been traded for one another. -via ESPN / February 7, 2025
The three-way talks even expanded to loop in Washington. Those talks included Butler, Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga, Wizards center Jonas Valanciunas, two first-round picks (from the Warriors) and two second-round picks (one each from the Heat and Warriors), and pick swaps going to the Suns, sources mentioned. The Warriors would’ve obtained Durant, whereas the Warmth might’ve obtained Wiggins, Cleveland’s 2025 first-round choose (through Phoenix), Dennis Schroder and Kyle Anderson. -via ESPN / February 7, 2025
