Last season, the Miami Heat lost 4-1 in the first round to their long-time rival and eventual NBA champion Boston Celtics. However, NBA guru Brian Windhorst believes that Heat star Jimmy Butler has much to prove and will lead the team to a comeback next season.
Furthermore, Windhorst claimed that the Heat star’s contract position with the team was related to his desire to overcome last season’s failure.
“Jimmy Butler, highly motivated to be a free agent, I think is a different animal,” according to ESPN.
Forecast for Heat
Miami Heat forward Kevin Love (42) and Jimmy Butler (22) watch the Heat lose to the Boston Celtics in the fourth quarter of Game 4 of the first round of the 2024 NBA playoffs at Kaseya Centre. Brian Windhorst has commented on Butler’s future with the Heat.
Butler, 34, has not signed a contract extension with the Heat, although he does have a player option for 2025-2026. He may opt out of his contract after next season to become an unrestricted free agency, and NBA teams will race to sign him since he is a proven leader and playoff player. However, his performance in 2025 may influence how many teams will actually pay him what he wants if he tests the market, as Windhorst stated.
On the other hand, the Heat may wish to keep him after he guided them to the NBA Finals in 2020 and 2023. However, the club has simply not had enough success with its health to make it through the playoffs. Tyler Herro was sidelined in 2023, while Butler and Terry Rozier were injured in 2024.
Still, when the Heat have their pieces in place and are healthy, they can be a formidable team in the Eastern Conference, especially with defensive veteran Bam Adebayo and a Jimmy Butler who wants to prove himself.
Brian Windhorst also agreed.
“I’m basically saying purchase [the Heat] because I believe Jimmy Butler will be tremendously motivated. Jimmy sometimes appears to be looking for excuses not to play. And although that may be the case, I believe Jimmy will go all out to show himself to the Heat and the rest of the league,” the NBA insider added.
Will the Heat resign Butler?
If six-time All-Star Jimmy Butler backs up Brian Windhorst’s statements next season, he’ll have earned himself a new, lucrative contract with the Heat or another team.
Butler has had problems with Pat Riley, but if he can lead them back to the promised land, he might persuade the front office to give him his salary. If not, he may be able to acquire the bag from another team with enough funds.
