(Photo via Getty Images)
The Jimmy Butler era in Miami Heat history is one that will not be forgotten. From underdog NBA Finals runs, to the star’s messy trade request out of South Beach— his six-year tenure with the franchise left its mark with both the ups and downs.
Miami is entering their first full season without Butler since 2018. Now a new chapter of Heat basketball is highlighted around a revamped Tyler Herro, Norman Powell, Bam Adebayo and Coach Erik Spoelstra core, along with developing some intriguing young talent on the roster.
As for Butler, he is currently thriving in his new Warriors system as the running mate to Stephen Curry. Golden State has come out to a quick 2-0 record on the new campaign, with Butler playing a major impact in leading the way.
The former Heat superstar has put up nearly 26 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists on some elite efficiency and clutch shooting across both games to start the 2025-26 season.
The Golden State Warriors are 24-5 all-time in games that Jimmy Butler and Steph Curry play together.
Although Butler’s Heat chapter came to an abrupt close just over six months ago, the now 36-year-old forward recently opened up about his ending in Miami.
“All that noise, all that chaos paid off in a major way. I’m lucky to be part of this phenomenal organization. Everywhere starts off great, but then you know someone has to be the bad guy, and it gets to be me. I’m always the one doing something unbearable all of a sudden. …But that’s OK. I get to play in this wonderful league, with amazing teammates. But being here, they’ve only got one goal. To keep hanging those things up on the wall. Ain’t no hidden agendas.”
— Jimmy Butler (via San Francisco Chronicle)
Despite what appeared to be a perfect partnership between Butler and the Heat for years, he had quickly become disgruntled once he was due to get paid his second max contract extension with the organization.
Pat Riley was reluctant to pay the aging star, following a history of availability issues and a slight statistical decline.
Butler seemed content with waiting out the previous 2024-25 season and proving his worth. But instead, he started to quickly become frustrated in Riley’s approach to his contract situation. Around Christmas time last year, the news had broken that he was looking to be traded.
To Butler’s credit, his persistence in securing his likely final big NBA pay day led to his coveted extension from the Warriors, instead. After forcing his way to be traded by last season’s trade deadline, the Heat received a return package headlined by Andrew Wiggins, Davion Mitchell and a first-round draft pick.
The Heat will host Butler and the Warriors on Wednesday, November 19 inside the Kaseya Center.
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HHH, please don’t write about this guy. He is not worthy of our attention.
That chapter is over, it was great fun the first 4 years, but he decided to end it the way he did, so no reason to bring his name up.
Isn’t basketball crazy? Oops, I’m on the wrong thread. .
The bench looks great.
Were bets based on insider information placed on games when he appeared to have been underperforming? Inquiring minds want to know.
He’s happy coz he gets to slack a bit since Curry is the main man and not him. GSW looks like a legit contender after 2 games.
classless guy pos/i root against gsw everygame never liked mouthpiece curry anyway,crazy dirty player draymond also .klay was cool but hes no longer there.
True about Draymond, I root against the Warriors too. I am intrigued by what Butler meant by hidden agendas.