Jimmy Butler says he is ‘happy to play basketball again’ in Warrior’s intro after trading from heat

On By Littum

Jimmy Butler effectively ended his Miami Heat career with a dissatisfied news conference. He began his Golden State Warrior’s career with the opposite.

Warriors introduced their new tip Thursday with a # 10 jersey and a lot of smiles. After receiving three different suspensions of Miami Heat, Butler said he was just happy to play basketball again:

“For myself I’m just so happy to play basketball again, honestly. But for an organization like this, with some hella fine talent that we have, I’m glad I get the opportunity to get hit and help with to make us win and do something special.

The beginning of the end of Butler’s time in Miami came when he suggested that he had no more pleasure to play with the team and criticized his role under head coach Erik Spoelstra. The heat immediately suspended him seven games after that, then two matches to miss a team flight, then indefinitely after he walked out of a shot.

All in all, Butler has played five games in total since December 20 and average the fewest points and minutes of his career since his early days with Chicago Bulls. Warriors are still betting on him and upgrading an aging core and sending Andrew Wiggins, Dennis Schröder, Kyle Anderson, Lindy Waters III and a protected first round in a complicated four-team trade.

On the question of how he will fit into Warriors’ system along with Stephen Curry, Butler had a simple plan:

“We are good. Transfer the ball to Steph and get out of the way. Easy!”

Miami, Florida - December 12: Jimmy Butler #22 from Miami Heat looks at after a game against Toronto Raptors in Kaseya Center on December 12, 2024 in Miami, Florida. Note to the user: User expresses and expressly accepts that the user, by downloading and or using this photograph, accepts the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)Miami, Florida - December 12: Jimmy Butler #22 from Miami Heat looks at a game against Toronto Raptors in Kaseya Center on December 12, 2024 in Miami, Florida. Note to the user: User expresses and expressly accepts that the user, by downloading and or using this photograph, accepts the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)

Jimmy Butler got what he wanted as usual. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)

Butler also received a two-year extension of $ 121 million to keep him with the Golden State through the 2026-27 season, which is also the case when Curry’s current Warriors contract runs out. Butler said that the extension was not the primary reason he would have the trade, however:

“I won’t say it was a big part, but I’m happy about it. I think the biggest part was just getting me to be able to play basketball again. I just want to be able to go Out there and do what I have done for a very long time … I am very, very, very glad that I will not be suspended no more.

Butler played five and a half season of the heat and enjoyed the best team success in his career and reached the NBA final twice and the playoffs every year despite not having a star-studded supportive role.

Despite the ugly ending of his hot career, and a reported that falls out with team president Pat Riley, butler was free to the organization from the other side:

“I’m just. I don’t have too many bad things to say about them. They gave me an opportunity I felt I was making my job to the highest level. I have so much respect for this organization for the people who run this organization and for my former teammates. I will always wish them the best.

I have a lot of love for many people over there in that organization and I just want them to know that I am very grateful for the conditions that I have built and that I will keep in a lifetime. “

Despite the friendly words, Butler still hasn’t left any of his last four NBA teams without the bridge at least partially burnt. His time with Warriors represents an opportunity to bow that trend.