Since arriving in South Beach in 2019, Jimmy Butler has been central to the Miami Heat’s success, leading the team to three Conference Finals and two NBA Finals. However, with Bam Adebayo’s recent three-year, $166 million extension and his strong performance during the 2024 Olympics, the Heat seem poised to shift their focus to Adebayo as the team’s cornerstone.
In June, The Athletic reported that Butler is unlikely to sign an extension with the Heat or any other team before his opt-out clause becomes available in 2025. Pat Riley expressed hesitation about committing to Butler when questioned about a potential extension, citing concerns about long-term availability. While Butler played 60 games last season, Adebayo appeared in 71 games. Additionally, Butler, who will be 35 before next season, is approaching the latter stage of his career, whereas Adebayo, who just turned 27, is entering his prime.
Butler was eligible for a two-year, $113 million extension this summer but could secure a more lucrative deal if he waits until next year. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Butler could potentially sign a four-year extension worth $243 million with the Heat or a three-year contract worth $171 million with another team.
Despite being one of the best two-way players when healthy, Butler’s tenure in Miami has been remarkable, including a franchise-record 56-point game against the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2023 Playoffs. Known as ‘Playoff Jimmy,’ he has become a beloved figure among Heat fans. However, as he enters possibly his last season with the Heat, there are significant implications. If Butler and Adebayo can remain competitive while potentially overlapping roles, the Heat could achieve even greater success with some adjustments. As Butler, who left the Chicago Bulls after six seasons, prepares for what might be his final season with Miami, it will be intriguing to see how the season unfolds.
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