Miami Heat GM Andy Elisburg spoke on Sirius XM's NBA Radio recently about Jimmy Butler's contract. He noted that both sides are interested in extending the contract, but Butler will have to meet some of Pat Riley's challenges in order to secure the deal, something Butler may not be used to doing before.
”As Pat Riley said in his press conference, it isn’t something we have to do now. We have an opportunity to do this all year long, and then there’s an opportunity that he becomes a free agent next year and we sit down and do a contract at that point. If a player wants to be in Miami, and we want him in Miami, the rest of it is logistics."
"That’s how Pat has always approached it. Whether it’s [cap] room or timing, that just becomes a piece of it. I think Jimmy’s indicated he wants to be in Miami, and at the end of the day, we would like Jimmy to be in Miami. Pat has indicated in his postseason press conference that there are things he wants to see, and there are challenges he wants met."
"Jimmy’s not one who is familiar with being challenged. Pat and Jimmy are two very strong-willed people who are looking for the same thing, which is ultimately to win. My view of it is that it ultimately works itself out — there are lots of ways it can work out — and foremost, do the player and the team want to continue working together?"
"If they do, there are lots of ways to make the rest of the numbers work if everyone wants to make a deal, there are lots of ways you can make the deal with different pieces to it. The most important thing is everyone wanting to make the deal.”
These comments come in the wake of Pat Riley being quite aggressive towards Jimmy Butler in the media. Riley criticized Butler for claiming that he and the Heat would be in the NBA Finals if he were healthy during a party and told Butler to focus on getting healthy.
Jimmy Butler Reportedly Entering Free Agency Next Year
While the Heat may want to re-sign or extend Butler, there may be a chance he leaves in free agency. Shams Charania reported recently that Jimmy Butler is looking to finish his contract and enter free agency next season. Butler wants to test the market and land what could be his last big payday in the NBA.
"Jimmy Butler, he's going to play out next season under his current contract with the Heat. I'm told he will not be signing an extension with the Heat or any other team ahead of his opt-out in 2025 free agency and this clears up any notion of a trade demand out of Jimmy Butler."
"He intends to play out next season. He has an affinity for Miami, wants to be with the Heat next season, so he has two years remaining on his deal. $49 million this upcoming year, then that player option in 2025 for $52 million."
"And I'm told Jimmy Butler is absolutely determined to have a big season next year and set himself up for a major payday in 2025 free agency when he can sign the deal four years up to $240 million."
Butler could end up making a lot of money next year, with a four-year, $240 million deal being the max he can earn. If Butler is able to replicate some of his iconic playoff performances regularly during the season, he could be set for a massive payday.
The Miami Heat have been unable to pair another star around him, despite being such a big market team and having the assets to do so. Players like Damian Lillard, James Harden, and Paul George have been missed out on, and it appears a large part of this is due to the Heat not understanding the new CBA rules.
Just because Butler is testing free agency next year doesn't mean that he won't return to the franchise. If the Heat are impressed with what Butler is able to do with the team, they could decide to pay him the money and bring him back.
