Jimmy Butler is ready to hit the court again after being knocked down by what he calls a nasty illness. The Miami Heat star says he’ll be back in action Wednesday night when the team hosts New Orleans.
But that’s not the biggest Butler story making waves right now.
When reporters asked him Tuesday if he wants to stay in Miami, Butler gave an answer that’s sure to raise some eyebrows.
“That’s a good question. Who knows? I don’t,” he said with his trademark candor. “But right now, I’m here, so I’m going to make the most of it. I’m going to compete, and I’m going to win.”
He actually seems to enjoy all the speculation swirling around him.
“It keeps all y’all wondering,” Butler said with a grin. “It’s good to be talked about. Even better to be wanted, though. Remember that.”
The drama’s been building for months. Just three weeks ago, word got out that the Heat were willing to listen to trade offers for their six-time All-Star. Then on Christmas Day, ESPN’s Shams Charania dropped another bombshell – Butler reportedly has a wish list of teams he’d like to join, including Dallas, Golden State, Houston, and Phoenix.
But Butler’s not confirming anything about that list.
“Does it matter? Does it? I don’t think so,” he said Tuesday. “All of that is out of my control, anyway. Like I said, I’m here. I’m hooping.”
Pat Riley, the Heat’s president, took the unusual step last week of publicly shooting down the trade rumors.
“We usually don’t comment on rumors,” Riley said in a statement, “but all this speculation has become a distraction… We are not trading Jimmy Butler.”
There’s a lot at stake here. Butler’s got a massive $52 million player option for next season, and insiders say he’s planning to turn it down to become a free agent in July.
For now, Butler says he’s just focused on getting back on the court after his recent illness, which hit him harder than many realized.
“I was pretty messed up,” he admitted. “I was damn near starving, getting ready to throw up and all that stuff.”
Despite all the drama, Butler’s still putting up impressive numbers this season. He’s averaging 18.5 points while shooting a career-best 55.2% from the field. The Heat are clearly better with him – they’re 11-9 when he plays versus 5-5 when he sits.
“As long as I’m happy, and right now I’m happy, I’m in a good space,” Butler said. “I’ve got my kids here, I’m healthy, I’m smiling. I promise you, I’m happy.”
Whether that happiness keeps him in Miami long-term? That’s the question everyone’s waiting to see answered.
