Miami is up to something. They have their eyes on some new faces to shake up their roster. These faces aren’t particularly from the trade market pool. Instead, Pat Riley and Co. looking for a young and fresh approach. You may say that the franchise is desperately searching for a replacement for their star player Jimmy Butler. And therefore, signing a G League player, Isaiah Stevens might be one way of getting going.

Shams Charania who’s been under fire by the Heat fans for ‘confused’ reporting over Butler’s trade talks shared some latest news on Wednesday. The ESPN Insider informed: “The Miami Heat are signing guard Isaiah Stevens to a two-way NBA contract out of their Sioux Falls G League affiliate, Matt Bollero of ProMondo Sports told ESPN. Stevens has had strong play in the G League this season, averaging 13 points and 11 assists.”

 

So, who’s this Isaiah Stevens, Pat Riley’s new beacon of hope?

The Heat had the 24-year-old point guard from Colorado State in their preseason lineup. He currently represents Miami’s G League team, the Sioux Falls Skyforce. Stevens has been quite a stir in the basketball world and now with a two-contract signed, he will have a chance to become the NBA’s next big name.  A five-season star at CSU, he shattered records with 2,350 points, 863 assists, and 629 threes. Starting all 153 games, he led the Rams to two NCAA Tournaments and an NIT Final Four. In his 2023-24 finale, Stevens registered 16 points and 6.8 assists per game, thus cementing his legacy as a CSU legend.

Surprisingly, the Miami Heat fans aren’t greatly amused with the Isaiah Stevens decision. There’s this sudden feeling that bringing the 24-year-old to the franchise means a curtain call on the Jimmy Bucket era. Besides, the speculated crack in Butler and Pat Riley’s relationship is adding fuel to the die-hards’ beliefs.

Is Pat Riley setting the fans up for heartbreak with their newbie signing?

Guess what the first remark was? “Jimmy Butler’s replacement is here 😤.” But the question is, can there truly be a replacement for the 6-time NBA All-Star forward? No. Even though Pat Riley doesn’t want to re-sign his 35-year-old star, he knows the kind of energy and presence Butler has on the court is unparalleled. However, with the records Isaiah Stevens has set for his college team and the kind of consistency he’s shown in the G League, who knows he could be one for the team?

“Let them cook,” someone encouraged. Team president, Pat Riley is surely brewing something there with Isaiah’s signing. In all honesty, Jimmy Butler‘s inconsistent availability has been one of the reasons why the team is reportedly looking into trading him. Besides, the 35-year-old veteran is also preferably finding a new home that would boost his championship dreams one last time.

Meanwhile, some dropped a GIF remark. The snippet shows a feeling of disappointment. Maybe, the fan was expecting something bigger. A big name maybe? Someone to match Bam Adebayo and Butler’s rhythm on the team, who knows? But, if Riley is considering trade talks about Jimmy, then why not find a face to play for the team? A young talent waiting for his chance.

 

Another fan, with all their told Charania: “Dawg we only care about Jimmy Butler-related stuff.” The message? Forget the rookie buzz; all eyes are on the fate of their beloved superstar. This perfectly captures the Heat’s fan current mood: less excitement for new signings, and more anxiety about their franchise cornerstone. While Isaiah Stevens’ signing might be promising, the looming uncertainty around Butler’s future has overshadowed it entirely. Fans are clinging to updates about their six-time All-Star, whose presence has defined the team’s identity.

“Where’s Jimmy’s going? And for who?” Now that’s an important question everyone is asking. Is Pat Riley even talking to other teams placing a bid for Butler? And is Jimmy in conversation with other teams? Recently, the star player has been associated with teams like the Golden State Warriors, Lakers, Mavericks, and Houston Rockets. But now, there’s an odd radio silence.“Damn! This got me holding my breath. I thought Jimmy signed an extension or got traded.” Heart racing, pulse quickening. They were on edge, bracing for the worst: Did Butler sign an extension or get traded? The suspense was real. With all the rumors swirling, the mere mention of anything Heat-related had them second-guessing every tweet. But with Pat Riley adding a twist to the story, it’ll be interesting to know what’s next.

So, what’s truly next for the Miami Heat? They already have a young talent in Isaiah Stevens who could be the missing piece they’re looking for. But, then it also brings out too many questions about Jimmy Butler’s future with the franchise. It’s a mystery- Riley’s thoughts, we mean.