Requested how his crew has handled the drama the previous six weeks, which included three Butler suspensions, Spoelstra stated: “I’ve had it with totally different groups. I felt it was much less with this crew, 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 need 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
Anthony Slater: Jimmy Butler couldn’t take part within the Warriors’ shootaround this morning in Chicago. Crew nonetheless ready on all the opposite gamers in deal to formally cross physicals. Expectation remains that’ll happen in next few hours and he can play tonight, per Warriors. -via Twitter @anthonyVslater / February 8, 2025
When Butler first got here to the Warmth in summer season 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 places of work. 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 stunned, those that had been within the room remembered, and joked that Butler may should be reduce off from any extra wine. However Butler insisted. Wiggins’ expertise was unbelievable. 5 years later, they had been traded for one another. -via ESPN / February 7, 2025
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
