Jimmy Butler and his camp are debunking any claims that he plans to decline any contract negotiations proposed by the Miami Heat.
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Butler and His Team Are Displeased with Allegations
Butler's agent, Bernie Lee, made a statement on behalf of his client referring to the rumors as "disrespectful" to the Heat star.
"The gift about sports is to a large extent things are absolutes and there is no need to live in hypotheticals. The absolute is the season at hand and the work that needs to be done. Jimmy went away this summer and prepared himself for the task at hand, I think we all see that. Speculating on what's next is irrelevant and disrespectful to the moment and this group. One of the major things I've noticed with Jimmy that has been a foundation of his success has been the creation of process and routine. He's locked into that process and routine, and ready to attack this season with the group around him."
Rumors Around the League Are Turning Up Mixed Reports
Speculation about Butler's plans have been circling in response to a report by the Miami Herald's Anthony Chiang earlier this week. Chiang claimed that he was likely to opt out of his current contract to become a free agent next summer.
Butler's contributions to the Heat Since joining the team in 2019 cannot be understated. In his first year he led his squad to their first Finals appearance since the LeBron era. Butler was also the driving force behind an 8th seeded Heat team that defeated the favorite Boston Celtics to make a second Finals appearance in five years.
Losing such an exceptional talent would be devastating for such a storied franchise. Though some around the league are confident that the all-star is likely to stay in South Florida. ESPN's Brian said as much in a report earlier this month.
"As far as I know, I think Jimmy Butler wants to be in Miami," Windhorst said. "His goal is to get another contract from the Heat. He also, I think, has a player option in his contract. Which, I think, his intention is to probably waive and become a free agent. But he still has that out there."
