“I want my joy back… I want to play with a dominant team”. By making this statement during a presser, Jimmy Butler sealed his fate regarding the Miami Heat. Over the last few months, the player’s issues with the franchise become a topic of conversation amongst NBA enthusiasts, increasing speculation about a trade. Pat Riley initially dismissed reports of the same, but Jimmy Butler’s remarks added fuel to the fire. The weeks that followed only saw the situation deteriorating between the player and the franchise. Therefore, Butler was convinced that his future with the team had come to an end.

After weeks of searching, the 35-year-old player was traded to the Golden State Warriors. During the presser after his debut game, Butler was asked about his thought process once the trade was confirmed. About whether there was a point in time when he thought that the Heat would not find a good enough deal for him.

Butler smiled and replied “Oh no no no. That was… I knew I was going somewhere, whether they were sending me to Flamingo down in Brazil. I knew that, uh, I was going somewhere. Um, but I’m glad that it is here. I’m grateful to be able to play basketball for a top organization like this one. Uh, so I just, I want to put everything behind me and focus on it now, and moving forward.” 

Not to sound overly harsh of his former team, Butler also added “But, like like I always say, I don’t got nothing bad to say about them. I’m grateful for my time there.” 

After Butler made the remarks in the presser, he was immediately given a 7-game suspension by the Miami Heat. He returned to play in 3 games after that but was soon handed another 2-game suspension after missing a team flight. On January 27, Butler was suspended once again after walking out of practice. According to reports, the player had walked out after being informed that Haywood Highsmith would replace him as a starter. The 3 suspension was indefinite.

By the end of January, Butler missed 14 of Miami’s last 19 games, with 9 of the last 12 because of the suspensions. After all of that, would anyone expect to be welcomed back to the team with open arms?

According to reports, Butler’s dissatisfaction with the team was his unresolved contract situation. On top of that, NBA reporter Barry Jackson highlighted that Jimmy Butler was seeking “help that never came”. Help in the form of experienced veterans like “Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard, Kyrie Irving”. When it did not happen, Butler was forced to engage in actions that ultimately led to his trade.

Despite everything that happened, there is only one feeling the player confesses about holding towards his team: Gratefulness. It was the feeling that the Miami Heat squad also showed the veteran in return.

Erik Spoelstra and Heat players paid tribute to Jimmy Butler after Warriors trade: “I’m grateful for the time” 

Head coach Erik Spoelstra was amongst the small group of people from the Heat squad to speak after Jimmy Butler’s trade. Addressing the media a few days ago, he stated “In this case, I don’t have to completely understand how we got to this point. But what I can have is a sense of gratitude completely. It was a great partnership and collaboration for 5 years. Some really deep, core memories. I’m grateful for the time to be able to coach a player like Jimmy.”

The head coach was joined by his players too when it came to holding a similar sentiment. After the Heat’s recent win against the Philadelphia 76ers, Nikola Jovic called Butler his brother, telling reporters he didn’t know where he’d be “if it wasn’t for him”. Terry Rozier said the trade will take “a huge weight off everybody’s shoulders” and allow the team to move forward.

Well, that’s one way to put things! Meanwhile, Kevin Love did not use words to express his thoughts. Instead, he put out the famous clip of Andy’s escape from ‘The Shawshank Redemption’. That too is a unique way to put things into perspective.

From the response by Butler to that of his former counterparts, one thing was clear. In moments of goodbye, it is the fond memories we choose to remember. Hopefully, in his remaining years in the NBA, Jimmy Butler will create some new ones with the Miami Heat.