Miami Heat President Pat Riley has finally begun to wonder if the team made the wrong decision by trading Jimmy Butler to the Golden State Warriors. After adding Butler to their roster, the Heat established themselves as legitimate title contenders and made the NBA Finals twice within four years. However, they could not win a championship.
Since Butler’s contract was expiring, negotiations between both sides went downhill, which was the most significant factor in the trade. Although Riley initially stuck firm to his stance that offering Butler a new contract was a bad decision, the Heat President finally appears to have slightly softened his stance after recent events.
Riley Claims Butler Did Not Deserve a Contract Extension With the Heat
Back in 2021, Butler was coming off one of the best seasons of his career. Despite joining the Heat in the offseason, he managed to carry a relatively young and inexperienced squad all the way to the NBA Finals. As a result, he was rewarded with reports revealing that he signed a four-year contract worth around $184 million.
That contract was set to expire during the 2025-2026 season, which explains the ongoing contract negotiations this season. While Riley continued to emphasize that not paying Butler was the right call, the Heat president did soften up enough to wish his former franchise cornerstone the best of luck.
“I’m not going to apologize for not giving him a contract extension, he didn’t deserve it… and I’m also not going to apologize for telling him to shut up, even though he played well.”
Pat Riley wishes Jimmy Butler all the best
“I’m not going to apologize for not giving him a contract extension, he didn’t deserve it… and I’m also not going to apologize for telling him to shut up, even though he played well.”
(Via @HeataoMil_grau) pic.twitter.com/1SeF7OEC2v
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) May 9, 2025
When asked what moves the Heat planned to make in the offseason, Riley explained that things would not be so simple, “We probably won’t run it back. But players aren’t just going to show up. You have to make deals.”
Pat Riley: “We probably won’t run it back. But players aren’t just going to show up. You have to make deals.”
— Anthony Chiang (@Anthony_Chiang) May 9, 2025
Since the Heat were swept from the first round of the playoffs by Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers, the team needs to make many upgrades in the aftermath of Butler’s exit, especially if they continue to wish to contend for an NBA championship.
As things stand, Butler appears to have won. Not only did he secure a two-year contract with the Warriors for $110 million, but the NBA star is still in the running to win a title while the Heat are facing a long and disappointing offseason.
In any case, some fans are impressed with Riley’s conviction. Others feel that his refusal to pay Butler might have destroyed any chances the Heat have to be relevant in the near future