Jimmy Butler should have gone down as one of the best to wear the Miami Heat jersey after leading them to two NBA finals appearances. However, the end to his Heat stint was not the one everybody thought it would be.
He requested a new deal, asked for a competitive squad, sat out many games, and went on a lengthy negotiations with the front office until he was traded to the Golden State Warriors.
He got what he wanted with his new team after signing a two-year, $121 million contract. He is happy with where he is now but he is still not over the trade saga he had to go through. He thinks he was made out to be the bad guy.
“All that noise, all that chaos paid off in a major way. I’m lucky to be part of this phenomenal organization,” he said in an interview with SF Chronicle ahead of the Warriors opening game on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Lakers.
“Everywhere starts off great, but then you know someone has to be the bad guy, and it gets to be me.”
Butler lead the Heat to two NBA finals appearance in the last five years although they only managed a first round exit in his last playoffs with them in 2024.
Jimmy Butler is willing to sacrifice
Although he is bothered by the way his Miami time ended, he insists that he is more focused on helping the Warriors win the title. He also expressed willingness to take on a lesser role compared to what he had with the Heat.
“I haven’t won one of those,” Butler said about Warriors’ title banners.
“But you can’t call me a loser. I’ve won everywhere that I’ve been. I could care less about how many points I score, how many shots I get. Just tell me what you need me to do to help us win.”
Butler is finally playing alongside with a superstar with the Warriors. He will be the second best player next to Stephen Curry but he also got an upgraded supporting cast. He, Curry, along with Draymond Green and Al Horford will lead a starting unit and will be supported by the likes of Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, Buddy Hield, and Brandin Podziemski.
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