Before putting on a Miami jersey once again after serving his suspension, Jimmy Butler sent a message through his agent. It read “I’m back”. Those two words forwarded hope within the Heat Nation. Maybe this was a sign of a mended relationship between the parties. Butler also scored 18 in a display that indicated his effort to win games. However, were his smiles after the game for a different reason, maybe an agreed move?

It would be tough to speculate but Shams Charania had some insights from Butler’s meeting with the Heat representation during his suspension. “It is not fixable as it stands right now between Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat. Last week, Jimmy Butler met with Pat Riley and reiterated his trade request face-to-face in a meeting with the team president of the Heat for over two decades. Then I’m told on Thursday Butler met face-to-face with Micky Arison, the Heat owner, and CEO Nick Arison and nothing has changed on his trade request,” Charania revealed.

After the game, a 20-point loss to the Denver Nuggets, reporters did have an opportunity to divulge Butler’s mindset. However, when it came to questions about his Heat future, the 35-year-old was a man of no words. “No comment” was his response to where his relationship stands with the Miami Heat. Although, he said so with a smile on his face.

At this point, it’s hard to see where the situation goes. For Jimmy Butler, having already faced a huge financial hit due to the suspension, maybe that’s among the reasons he decided to return. In addition, there is also the possibility that Butler did want to compete with those he never went to war with.

Jimmy Butler finally enjoys competing with his teammates

The feud between Riley and Jimmy Butler did damage to their dynamic as was expected. However, in the mix of the saga, his teammates became collateral damage. Butler, not in the right mindset, couldn’t contribute as per his usual standards. It fostered tensions in the locker room. But as far as he is concerned, there has always been love for his teammates.

Whenever Jimmy Butler has had an opportunity, he credits his Heat brothers. Likewise, with him back and making his usual impact on games, the locker room felt light even though they lost. “Get him back acclimated, we know what Jimmy is capable of…Going forward, I think Jimmy will continue to find his rhythm,” said the team captain, Bam Adebayo.

While it wasn’t the best of ‘Jimmy Buckets’ tonight, his elevated production from his last few games did single the urge to try. And keeping his relationship with Riley aside, Jimmy Butler admitted that he never wanted his teammates to suffer. “It felt good to get out there and compete. And actually run around with these guys. As much as everybody may think, I don’t got a problem with these guys… My beef is not with them. Never will be,” the Heat star said after the game.

What Butler vows to do going forward is to continue ‘competing’ as long as he is in a Heat jersey. In regards to that, the six-time All-Star remains to keep the conversation open. “Soon the whole truth will come out. Until then we’ll continue to let people talk and if I’m here I will get out there and play,” Jimmy Butler said after the game.

From the looks of it, Charania might be telling the truth when he says “They’ve operated as a team that is looking to find a trade for Butler”. With it technically being his last year under the contract, maybe Jimmy Butler doesn’t mind spending what could be his final season honoring his teammates. The future still remains as uncertain as it was before.

The only change is that Butler will show up and try to compete when he does for the Miami Heat. Do you think the veteran wing will remain on the team post-February 6th? Let us know your views in the comments below.