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Assistant Caron Butler signs four-year extension to remain with Heat

Caron Butler
(Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)

Miami Heat assistant coach Caron Butler secured a four-year extension to remain with the organization under head coach Erik Spoelstra, ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski was the first to report Wednesday.

 

According to Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press, sources told him that the Heat is moving toward new contracts for assistants Chris Quinn and Malik Allen, though those talks are continuing. Per Reynolds, Spoelstra’s “made it clear” that he wants his staff to remain intact.

 

It’s unclear what his contract situation was like prior to the extension, as most coaches’ contracts are not disclosed. Though one could assume that Butler–who has spent the last four seasons as an assistant with the Heat–was at or at least near the end of his deal.

He was the head coach for the Heat’s G-League team last summer, which featured both Jaime Jaquez and Nikola Jovic. It’s unclear whether he’ll have those same honors this upcoming July, but what we do know is that he is one of Spoelstra’s most trusted assistants.

“That’s when you know it’s something that you really, really want to do, when you can’t see yourself not doing it,” Butler told the Miami Herald last year, in regards to coaching. “I got to that point, where I just can’t see myself not trying to come up with solutions to some of these problems and some of these things that other teams pose to us. It’s like, I got to continue to wrap my mind around solutions and that’s the fun part of it. As a competitor, that’s the beauty of it.”

Butler, a 16-year NBA veteran, did not have any coaching experience before his stint with Miami. He joined a line of Heat assistants who were also former Heat players, similar to the aforementioned Quinn and Allen, in addition to Wayne Ellington, who joined the Heat’s staff ahead of the 2023-24 season. As a player, he was the No. 10 overall pick with the Heat in the 2002 NBA Draft, playing in two seasons with the Heat before getting shipped to the Los Angeles Lakers in a four-player deal for Shaquille O’Neal ahead of 2004-05.

Butler, 44, played for nine organizations, including the Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Clippers and Dallas Mavericks–being a part of the 2011 Mavericks title team who downed the Heat in six games. The two-time All-Star averaged 14.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.3 steals in 881 career games (732 starts).

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vagibugi

Dallas in finals.
Its time for a fifth Slovenian, to get NBA ring.

2qbn

Smallball series. 7 footers marginalized. If there is a 7 footer that can make a difference in this series it’s one who can shoot (Porzingis). Proceed accordingly.

SunManFromDogBone

I think Dallas will kill Boston on the boards and in the paint, whether Porzingas plays or not. Dallas had more rebounds than Minnesota 207-194 and blocks 29-21.

Dallas is a different team since they acquired PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford at the trade deadline. They were 21-8 to finish the season and have gone 12-5 in the playoffs (33-13 overall).

Boston has been skating against three crippled teams until now. Let’s see how they do against a team of warriors that has dispatched three excellent teams…Clippers (4-2), OKC (4-2) and Minnesota (4-1).

My money is on Luka and the boys.

2qbn

Gafford is the one closest to traditional, but PJ Washington is a PJ Tucker. My point is all the guys need to shoot. Guys like Gafford have value but at 20 mins a pop and not multiple versions of him.

I hope Dallas wins. I want Boston to question their everything. 😉

oregoner

time to cut Edey and bring back Michael Beasley

Reality Czech

From AllUCanHeat. I’ll just list #6 and #7 n the list. 7 Teams that could be willing to trade for Jimmy Butler this summer
6. Golden State WarriorsThe Warriors are facing a closing championship window and will be aggressive in looking to add veteran talent to Stephen Curry and Draymond Green this offseason. Butler could make a lot of sense for a team that has maximized two-way wings in the past. What would the Heat say to a package built around Chris Paul’s non-guaranteed contract (which the Heat could waive and save $30 million against the cap) Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moodey and draft picks?
7. Memphis GrizzliesDo the Grizzlies want to speed up the timeline and narrow the gap between them and the top of the West? If so, Butler would add some Finals experience to an otherwise young group that includes Ja Morant, Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. A deal built around Marcus Smart, Brandon Clarke, Ziare Williams and John Konchar would help the Heat replenish their depth. The Grizzlies also control all of their first-round picks over the next seven years.

The point of this is that a fair number of people believe that if Butler is traded, we would receive players plus 2 to 5 draft picks. The team can keep the players they like, and flip the others, 1 or 2 of our players, and draft picks for an A level player.

There are many choices. These are just a couple of options. We’ve discussed the Sixers a number of times with their 5 tradable picks. It’s not about just getting picks, it’s what you do with them.

2qbn

Trailblazers have not been able to flip Brogdon and RW yet. Curious if they try this summer

SunManFromDogBone

Their GM screwed up again. He should have traded Brogdon while there was still a demand. Dude is always injured (played 39 games last year). Has averaged less than 55 games a year in 8 seasons. Robert Williams is worse. He played in 6 games last year due to injury and has averaged less than 36 games a year in 6 seasons.

oregoner

the trailblazers will almost certainly finish last again next season. hopefully they clean house after that. the fact that nobody has been fired after giving up three seasons in a row is unbelievable. look for them to set new record lows for attendance

SunManFromDogBone

Incompetent owner and GM. Portland fans deserve better. They should demand better.

SunManFromDogBone

“The enemy of my enemy is my friend.”

Go Dallas!

Reality Czech

Before the playoffs, didn’t pick any one team to win. I said I liked OKC as a young team with an interesting roster, but that’s it. The only thing I did hope for was for Denver and Boston to lose. So far, I got half my wish. So I do now hope Dallas wins.

heat for life

“I feel at home, man. I really care about the city, I really care about the people in this city. Miami has embraced me. They’ve wanted me to bring them something they haven’t done since LeBron, D-Wade and C-Bosh. And I want to do that. So as soon as I get this knee back right, I’m right back on they ass and everybody know it.”

SunManFromDogBone

All for the low, low price of $214 million.
P.S. So far no ring and entering down side of career.

Reality Czech

Play in team 2 years in a row.

Reality Czech

Oh yeah, a play in team that LOST the first game each time.

heat for life

went to finals one year w/o a true center

oregoner

Regardless of what happens next, Jimmy Butler is an all-time top-5 Heat player

Reality Czech

Butler has been one of the most impressive postseason players in recent years.

2qbn

When the meme is you are MJ’s son, I think you have made an impression

Reality Czech

From SS. Pretty much exactly how I feel (bold emphasis mine):
Q: Is this really about 60 games or is this more about how your star player approaches those 60 games played? At 29, you give the extension no questions asked. At 35 . . . – Douglas.
A: And that’s the thing. With Jimmy Butler it’s also a matter of how much will be or can be offered a nightly basis. It’s not as if the Heat are going to ask for 48 minutes or even 40. But will the minutes be played hard, with intention, with drive? That also is where the eye test created issues last season. When paid like a leading man, the expectation is to play like a leading man. So for all the talk about Jimmy taking a measured approach to the amount of games he played, there also has to be candor about the energy exerted . . . and whether there is energy to exert. The Heat cannot afford at his price point too many of those, “Jimmy just doesn’t have it tonight” type of nights.”

SunManFromDogBone

Max contracts deserve Max efforts. Anything short of 100% and the team and fans are not getting their money’s worth. If Jimmy wants a flex work schedule he needs to be flexible and give Miami a nice discount for years 3-4. Otherwise he’s just trying to decieve fans about loving Miami and needs to be traded before his value drops. Miami either sells high or regrets it later.

Last edited 6 months ago by SunManFromDogBone
SunManFromDogBone

Heat’s return to championship contender hinges on 1 major stat improving (FANSIDED)
“Regardless of injuries, the one statistical category that plagued the Heat was offense.” 

I would disagree. As I pointed out previously, the team’s shortcomings are as follows:

Blocks – 30th
FG Made – 28th
Rebounds – 26th
Off Rebounds – 26th
Points – 26th
FG% – 22nd

Question: How would the team’s statistics in each of these areas improve?
Answer: By trading for, drafting or signing a free agent center or power forward who can block shots, make a high percentage of his field goals, rebound effectively (including offensive rebounds) and score effectively.

Possible Solutions: Zach Edey, Julius Randall, Pascal Siakam, Nikola Vucevic, Joan Valanciunas, Myles Turner, Wendall Carter, Bobby Portis, Clint Capela, Alperan Sengun, Jarrett Allen, Nick Claxton

Last edited 6 months ago by SunManFromDogBone
vagibugi

I m in for Allen and Claxton.

oregoner

I believe Hassan Whiteside is still available. He led the NBA in blocks and rebounds

SunManFromDogBone

I wonder how good a pairing of prime time Whiteside and today’s Bam at PF would do together if Bam could cover for Whiteside’s deficiencies. Now replace Whiteside with 7’4″ Edey and think about the possibilities.

oregoner

It’s too bad Bosh got the Kidney ailment, otherwise we could have seen prime Bosh and prime Whiteside together

heat for life

no pj gafford lively no ring.we need bigs that can defend and rebound.only have one bam.need at least two more pat

SunManFromDogBone

5 Miami Heat players who could be dangled in a trade for a starhttps://allucanheat.com/posts/5-miami-heat-players-dangled-in-trade-for-star/5

Trade assets: Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez, Nikola Jovic, Duncan Robinson, Terry Rozier

  • If Riley is going to double down on Butler and Bam for the next four years, who can he get in trade for the team’s other most valuable assets to make the team a championship contender?
  • If “other assets” are traded away, what is left to build a team around in addition to Bam and Butler?
  • What option is left if Butler’s durability and performance later begin to decline?

I’m not a gambler. Going “all in” on Jimmy Butler at the expense of blowing up the current roster and risking the team’s long term trajectory is a MAJOR MISTAKE in my opinion.

Pat is at a crossraods. There is no “half ass solution” available. He can turn left, right or stay on the same course. Staying the course with the same players and expecting different results may work relatively well in the short haul (before the trade deadline). However, it will not work in the long one (throught next season’s playoffs).

If Pat’s decision-making fails now, I would advocate his retirement, sooner than later, (by the end of the 2024-2025 season).

GO HEAT!!!

Deadsori(Vincent Quitoriano)

I was looking on some of the former Heat players online to see how they are doing and imagine my big surprise when i saw Kendrick Nunn being celebrated as one of the best players in the euroleague right now. Just won a championship. Watched his highlights. Really huge improvement. Improved midrange game with his pull up jump shot, now have more in his offensive bag and his decision making is elite. Congrats and to him,I knew that he had the dog in him.

Sundayafternoons

The nasty taste the Philadelphia play in game left in my mouth, and with how the eastern conference playoffs played out, yea Jimmy has me tight.

Even with all the cap implication context, if there’s a way to keep Jimmy here I’m for it. I’ll never forget how hard he played in those 2020 finals. Nor how he toughed out that ankle injury last year. Nor how we all know he’s gonna take that wing three, down two, and miss.

I don’t need my fandom to be so efficient. To be so ruthlessly about winning. That I cut away all the parts that I value–the comraderie and relationships that grow from facing adversity in pursuit of a mutual goal. (Yeah it’s 2024 and that’s naive, but what am I sacrificing in the name of “maturity?)

Warts and all I hope it works out. I hope we can bolster the roster. I hope we see more Bam running the PnR, and JJJ bully ball, and Duncan dribble drives, and Herro-snarls, and Niko flash-3s. And yeah maybe even Jimmy hitting on of those wing three’s, down two, for the win.

2qbn

The Sixers aren’t the only team that would be willing to give Jimmy Butler a maximum-salary extension if they could acquire him from the Heat. League sources tell Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald that two other clubs have “made it known in league circles” that they’d also be open to trading for the star forward and then signing him to a max deal.

vagibugi

I believe there is a reason that those two more clubs names are unknown, and there is no indication that Philly would clearly wants Butler. Philly is mentioned only because he can afford him.

The fact is, that Butler wasn’t very good past season, even when he was available, and nobody really knows, if there is a start of decline or just a lack of focus.

So, his price of the market would be low, and offer to Miami to trade him would be bad.
Nobody will promise Jimmy a max in advance.

I think there will be no offer for extension Jimmy this summer from Miami or trade. There will be an offer before new year, based on how Jimmy will play till then, and it wont be max. If he will refuse it, there will be trade to anybody have interest as expiring contract, but not in eastern conference.

2qbn

I’m with Sunday, I want to keep Jimmy. I posted that for the trade Jimmy people since we have been discussing the possibility. I personally don’t think it’s going to happen.

vagibugi

I agree it wont happen, at least not this summer. But I also dont see him to sign a max. long term contract in Miami or somewhere else.

heat for life

with a healthy jim and terry think we had a good chance to beat boston.why the f trade him.hopefully he stays healthy and we can make a run at ir.u trade butler u aint winning sht for the near future

Reality Czech

I disagree. While I also don’t think that Butler will be traded, I am amongst those who think it could benefit the team. I keep reminding people that earlier this season, that Jae Crowder brought 5 second round picks in a 3 team trade. If Crowder can bring that, how much can one of the best postseason players over the last 5 years bring? The answer, in my opinion, is quite a lot – players plus first round picks for sure. Is Gobert better than Butler? Even if someone thinks he is, it is not by much, and Utah received 5 players and 5 picks.
If trading Butler (and Herro for argument sake) brought back a solid young center/power forward, a young two way guard, and Donovan Mitchell (or similar player), the team would be as good or better than it is today.
I am fine with whatever the team does. I’m certain that by next training camp, the Heat roster will be different than today, and better.

HHHFAN4Life

They have to pay him for taking the heat to the dance, I mean who remembers the loser? They have to pay him cause he saved them from being irrelevant, even though he came the same year that wade retired. They have to pay him for sucking it up and playing, like others before him have done. They have to pay him because if they don’t the heat won’t be relevant, even though it’s more talent in the league than it’s ever been before (right precise moves) and Mia is right there again. They have to pay him cause the heat are a playin team without him, oh wait!

Keeping Jimmy on this team next year and beyond will hurt this team more than help them. Again you don’t have to blow it up as butler herro Duncan Caleb should be able to fetch you some nice pieces/draft picks.
All this talk and the ones that don’t think Mia should trade Jimmy haven’t given 1 good reason besides what happened to heat legend dwade. A legit basketball reason has not come up

vagibugi

Well, I disagree too. In all Butlers trades, except maybe the one from Chicago to Minnesota, there were not many good players involved and a lot of picks.

There was only a disgruntled Jimmy involved, which decreases the price, and if he will want out of Miami, there will be the same situation. On the top of that, he is old, and has an average season behind him.

The last play off shows, that new stars took over the league, only Irving is still sticking around. This rises the question, if contender teams still needs expensive 35 old vets to be successful.

Minnesota is good this year, but Gobert, despite being a defensive player of the year, is actually a defensive liability in series against Dallas.

Maybe is just a lot of smoke, and no fire at all. Maybe Jimmy wants to stay in Miami and ready to accept less money and shorter extension or both, and all that is only some noise from managers to push decisions and raise prices.

I m expecting some smart moves on the edges this summer, and maybe a Herro trade for a guard, who defends better. I m against Mitchell trade, because of his play off history.

HHHFAN4Life

I m against Mitchell trade, because of his play off history.

Jimmy didn’t have much of one either til he got here. Again recency bias, Mia specifically spo made Jimmy as “relevant” he made the heat “relevant”

vagibugi

well, Utah never went far. It seems Mitchell was always bad when matters, or he wasn’t available.

Reality Czech

Well, I’m going to disagree back, haha. Lillard was disgruntled too. After the dust settled, the Blazers got:
Deandre Ayton, Brogdan, Robert Williams, Camara, 3 first round picks, and 2 pick swaps. So, even if we assume Butler would only bring half of that, it would be 2 players, 2 first rounders, and 1 pick swap.

vagibugi

Well, back to back, I disagree, sorry.
The Lillard trade is a perfect example of why not put all of your eggs in one basket. I good remainder, that give up a lot for a old player doesnt make much sense.

The return for Bucks was exactly nothing.
Base on players they got, Portand was even worse. And most of pick and swaps they got are closer to 2030 then today.

oregoner

heck yeah Tuff Juice! Now lets bring back Lamar Odom and D-Wade!

Reality Czech

Then we can have Deja vu all over again with your handle.

oregoner

Just need Skip-to-my-Lou to run point

Bout30man

I would take the five firsts from Philly (say that fast) and freaking flee fervantly. Maybe I am alone but I think our best path in the long run Is semi-starting over. Trade all but Bam, Terry, and JJJ. Keep whoever after making the best moves possible, and start the rebuild. Yes, it would mean no playoffs for a while, but maybe just two years. We need to get rid of some players who will only hold us back in the long run.
Congrats Caron.

Bout30man

And, it will be fun to watch Philly try to deal with a fading Jimmy after 2025. It is my opinion the Kyle Lowry aging player effect to be in full bloom by then, and load management will be constant. OTOH, a 2025 best case scenario might see Philly celebrating on Broad St, and that’s ok too. After that, he will be an albatross.

HHHFAN4Life

Thing is Mia doesn’t have to fully rebuild if it traded away Jimmy Tyler Duncan Niko. The right moves for the right players and there is no reason Mia can’t be right back in it

Bout30man

That would be great. Have to get some very high value in the trades though, because what we had in 2020-2023 Jimmy is a lot to replace. Maybe if we unload Jimmy and the others, we can get a combo of picks, like three or four, and two quality players. Or, we luck out and get Mitchell, who Is the only whale we should entertain as the other available ones are too old. But, to get Mitchell, we would be out pretty much all the picks and some players too. I would still do that if we could.
I guess I am mostly saying it is hard to envision much path forward paying Jimmy the max and term. Seems like a mistake to me. The other alternatives seem better paths.

Last edited 6 months ago by Bout30man
2qbn

This is why I’m not concerned. The team has assets in the form of players. Riley turned Hassan and Jrich in to Jimmy. I think he can do something with Herro, JJJ and/or Niko. Terry, too. If Jimmy wants out because of the contract then that is another asset for a championship seeking team, like Philly. It’s just a matter of what shakes loose.

Last edited 6 months ago by 2qbn
oregoner

This seems like the time to say the same thing I say every offseason and trade deadline. Pat Riley does not trade players for picks. He’s been here 25 years, and he’s never done it. He’s not about to start now that he’s 80 years old.

I am almost certain that any Butler trade to Philly would include sending Philly picks to another team. Ideally Donovan Mitchell, but depending on how the offseason shakes out, I wouldn’t be completely shocked if it was someone like Brandon Ingram or Zach LaVine. While those players aren’t A+ superstars, they are good enough to lead the team in scoring without Riley giving up major assets.

Bout30man

And those two guys would not cost all our picks or players like Mitchell and would be definite upgrades. In fact, if we could get two players of that quality I would think it would help us more than Mitchell alone and there would also be a much higher chance of it actually happening than trying to snag Mitchell.
And, you’re probably right, no way Riles will accumulate and keep picks or ever do a full rebuild.

oregoner

yep, and I think that might be the move. The Heat could probably swap Jimmy Butler to the Sixers, pick up Zach LaVine or Lauri Markkanan or Trae Young, and even add assets in the transaction instead of giving up young players.

Sixers might be a better teams than the Heat next season, but if they’re going to give Jimmy Butler a max extension for multiple years, I think the Heat are able to walk the tightrope between winning now and building for the future.

Reality Czech

I agree almost totally. I guess it’d depend on how many picks were obtained. If there were 4, including the 2024, he might keep that one to pick at 15 & 16 as there are some good choices in that range (Carter, Ware, Edey, Missi, etc). He has grown to appreciate draft picks more in recent years, but I 100% agree that he will flip the additional picks and players for an A level addition. For me, it’s one of the more intriguing offseasons specifically due to so much uncertainty.

oregoner

I’m telling you, Edey is going to be gone by 15

Reality Czech

That’s a definite possibility. Or a possibly definite.

SunManFromDogBone
Last edited 6 months ago by SunManFromDogBone
SunManFromDogBone

6. Golden State WarriorsThe Warriors are facing a closing championship window and will be aggressive in looking to add veteran talent to Stephen Curry and Draymond Green this offseason. Butler could make a lot of sense for a team that has maximized two-way wings in the past. What would the Heat say to a package built around Chris Paul’s non-guaranteed contract (which the Heat could waive and save $30 million against the cap) Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody and draft picks?

Jonathan Kuminga: PF/SF 6-8, 210lb Born: October 62002 (Age: 21)
2023-24 G74, PTS 16.1TRB 4.8 AST 2.2 FG% 52.9 FG3% 32.1 (Carrer 34.1)
2024-2025 Salary: $7,636,000

Moses Moody: SG 6-6 205lb Born: May 31, 2002 (Age 23 on Friday)
2023-2024 G 66, PTS 8.1TRB 3.0 AST 0.7 FG% 46.2 FG3% 36.0 (Carrer 36.2)
2024-2025 Salary: $5,803,000

Chris Paul: Non-Guaranteed Salary: $30,000,000 (Waive)

2026 & 2029 1st Round Picks

Miami can trade Herro, plus GS picks to Cleveland for Mitchell or Herro plus 1 pick to Atlanta for Murray.Miami can use the $30M savings from Chris Paul waiver to recruit or trade for a starting C or PF.Miami can use 2024 draft pick or trade up using future draft pick to draft a C. Possible Heat Rotation:
Rozier, Mitchell, Kuminga, Bam, (Claxton, Valanciunas, Hartenstien?)
JRich, Duncan, Jaquez, Jovic, Edey?/Love

Last edited 6 months ago by SunManFromDogBone
SunManFromDogBone

Excellent move. Congratulations to Caron. He’s a great guy!

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