Soon after it was announced that Jimmy Butler had been traded to the Golden State Warriors, reports came out that Miami Heat President Pat Riley actually cried during a face-to-face meeting with the six-time All Star.
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Apparently this was an attempt to get Butler to stay, and it ultimately did not work as the now former Heat star reportedly viewed Riley as "unhinged," which gave him even more reassurance to leave the team (per The Athletic).
"According to multiple league sources with knowledge of the meeting, tears welled in Riley's eyes as he attempted to connect with Butler on a human level," it read in The Athletic's article talking about a January 7 meeting between Riley and Butler.
"Both men had lost their fathers, and Riley's famed toughness faded in the moment as he thought about Butler mourning his father's death last season. But Riley's vulnerability did not land with Butler. The player viewed Riley's behavior as 'unhinged,' a league source close to Butler said. Butler left the meeting more convinced than ever that he needed a new basketball home."
Fans have reacted to the news of Riley allegedly shedding tears.
Is this how Pat Riley was crying in the meeting with Jimmy Butler trying to get him to stay ?
😂😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/DxjLfMH0Eg
— W.W.Y.D (@YouKnowTheVib) February 7, 2025
These kind of reports always make me laugh because the only people in that room were Jimmy Butler and Pat Riley, meaning that Jimmy Butler 100% told people around him that Riley started crying and it freaked him out https://t.co/qPZllfQobw
— Nick Melanson (@nickmelanson_) February 7, 2025
Other fans weren't believing these reports, as one user on X said: "Pat Riley....? Of the showtime lakers? Mr. business and Mr. Cool.. cry in a meeting?!? Where is your evidence pal?"
When looking at the timeline of Riley and Butler's relationship going sour, many point to last year during the playoffs when the star player was seemingly told to 'shut up' by the long-time NBA executive.
Pat Riley on Jimmy Butler: “If you're not on the court playing, you should keep your mouth shut.” pic.twitter.com/BorsYtOu8J
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) May 6, 2024
Jimmy Butler and Pat Riley’s relationship hasn’t recovered since the moment Pat Riley told him to keep his mouth shut, per @ShamsCharania pic.twitter.com/jWQPkh2lFq
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 3, 2025
On top of this, there were reports that Butler was frustrated over the fact the Heat did not give him a contract extension (two-year/$113 million) this past summer.
Ultimately, tensions boiled over in late December when Butler publicly stated he wanted out of Miami, and Riley in response released a statement saying that the team wasn't going to trade him.
Pat Riley addresses the Jimmy Butler trade rumors 👀
(via @MiamiHEAT) pic.twitter.com/n9HFv1oXs5
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 26, 2024
What transpired afterwards led to multiple suspensions, as a result of Butler's "conduct detrimental to the team."
"Butler threatened to skip practices, not listen to Spoelstra and make his return uncomfortable and refuse to stand in team huddles and otherwise 'distant yourself from the team.' He added he failed to 'give best efforts' in recent games and was 'combative and argumentative in meetings with me and the Arisons'" (per The Athletic).
THIS TRADE IS WILD 🚨
Warriors get: Jimmy Butler
Heat get: Andrew Wiggins, PJ Tucker, protected 1st
Pistons get: Lindy Waters, Josh Richardson
Jazz get: Dennis Schröder
Raptors get: Kyle Anderson
WHAT JUST HAPPENED 🤯
(via @ShamsCharania) pic.twitter.com/TnHFrBLxxh
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 6, 2025
In view of the trade, in exchange for Butler, the Miami Heat are receiving Andrew Wiggins, which is ironic considering that this was the one player Butler told Riley was the 'most talented player he has ever played with," dating back to their playing days together on the Minnesota Timberwolves.
REPORT: In 2019, Jimmy Butler celebrated his signing to the Heat with Pat Riley over a bottle of wine…
Riley then asked Butler who the most talented player he’s ever played with was.
Jimmy’s response: “Andrew Wiggins.” 😳 (via @WindhorstESPN) pic.twitter.com/25O9mrME2U
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) February 7, 2025
Jimmy Butler told Pat Riley in 2019 Andrew Wiggins was the most talented player he’s played with 😳🔥 pic.twitter.com/y4UOtX2sOG
— Heat Culture (@HeatCulture13) February 7, 2025
