For the first time in almost two weeks, Jimmy Butler suited up for the Miami Warmth on Wednesday against the New Orleans Pelicans. Of course, a lot has happened in that time, as a report emerged that Butler would prefer the Warmth move him before the trade deadline, while Pat Riley has made it clear that he has no intention of moving his wing All-Star who can hit. unrestricted free agency this summer.
Butler has never been shy about his willingness to force his way out of a place when he believes his time has come there, while Warmth is known as one of the NBA’s toughest negotiators. As such, it’s very easy to wonder if something happened with his return from illness, as Butler was removed from the game with 3:29 left in the third quarter and did not return. After the game, Warmth coach Erik Spoelstra addressed this, and after expressing that it had nothing to do with Miami being in a back-to-back, he said it was solely due to his absence.
“Thirteen days is a long time, and I just went with the group there in the room that was giving us the most, and to see if that group could close it out,” Spoelstra said.
Butler played 25 minutes Wednesday night, posting nine points, four rebounds and two assists on 3-of-5 shooting from the field. This was one of his two failures. Miami won the game, 119-108, thanks to 32 points from Tyler Herro and 23 points, 10 assists, nine rebounds and three steals from Bam Adebayo.
