01-04-2025, 02:33 PM
(01-04-2025, 02:07 PM)F Gump Wrote: The bare truth and bottom line on the whole ruckus is well-stated in that Si piece by Mannix ...
On Thursday, Butler suggested his diminished role was the source of his dissatisfaction. “I want to hoop,” Butler said. Baloney. This is about money. Butler wants a contract extension. Miami doesn’t want to give it to him. At 35, Butler wants a nine-figure deal that will take him into retirement. The Heat don’t want to be the ones paying it.
Said a rival team executive, “There isn’t an easier situation to understand than this one.”
Butler can opt out of his contract after this season. But he doesn’t want to do that. He doesn’t want to leave $52 million on the table—the amount the Heat owe Butler in his option year—for free agency. To go where? Brooklyn? The Nets are tearing their team down to the studs. Detroit? The Pistons aren’t there yet. Washington? San Antonio? Which team with the cap room to sign Butler outright is making him an appealing offer?
The best chance Butler has to cash in is with a trade. He is eligible for a two-year extension that could pay him $111 million. He isn’t getting that in Miami, which is building around Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro and Jaime Jaquez Jr.—all age 27 or younger. A new team could give him one.
What I have been saying since the new CBA was put into place. One big change will be the pay structure of veterans. You ain´t getting paid recklessly anymore. No chance yout get paid more annually than what your age is these days. I bet Miami was not even offering him 52M total over two years.