Unflinching Shams Charania Responds to Jimmy Butler’s Agent’s Brutal Fact-Check, Doubles Down on “Truthful” Reporting

We’re still a few more nights away from December 15, but it’s already getting heated in the NBA trade market. For those unaware, the date marks an unofficial opening of the trade window as the players become tradable again. Shams Charania is on high alert already and one of the stories that is bound to gather steam is the one surrounding Jimmy Butler. The Miami Heat star is in the final year of his contract with a player option coming up next season. With that in mind, many franchises are said to be in the race for the forward, with Charania mentioning the likes of the Warriors, the Texas teams, and, most recently, the Suns. And now he has doubled down on his claim.

On the latest episode of First Take, Stephen A. Smith asked Shams about Jimmy Butler’s agents’ comments. The NBA insider had a firm response to that. “I 1000% stand by my reporting. It’s fully vetted,” Shams claimed. “And as a professional, that’s what I do. That’s what I get paid to do. That’s what I’m going to do. Report truthfully and accurately. That’s what this is. Period.”

Butler’s name has been already linked to multiple teams around the league. Not only Shams but reports emerged from other sources as well. One such source is NY Post’s Brian Lewis. According to him, “Brooklyn is and would remain his first choice to the extent that he’s fine with playing out the year opting out and signing there as a free agent.”

Jimmy Butler has a $52.4 million player option for next season but the player can simply opt out and sign with the Nets as a free agent. With Pat Riley making his intentions of not signing the 35-year-old clear, Playoff Jimmy could indeed be NY-bound.

Shams is yet to name-drop the Nets in the trade conversation, but after Butler’s agents’ public dressing down, he might be a tad bit careful with that.

Jimmy Butler’s agent rips apart Shams Charania for fabricating stories

Trades in the NBA are never a walk in the park. Agents, families, salaries, and a lot more have to be taken into account before the big moves. Jimmy, who is from Texas, might be enticed by a move back to his backyard, but there’s no surety. But the agents do have a major say in it and, as of now, he’s calling bluff on the reports. Shams Charania found out the hard way as Bernard Lee had some choice words in store.

Lee publicly berated the ESPN reporter, accusing him of fabricating stories. “Alright listen. I gave you a pass yesterday because I was busy but if you don’t stop putting my name on your complete and utter made up bulls**t because you know you normally aren’t worth my time to acknowledge. (continued),” Lee posted on X. This was followed by him letting the world know that he had no involvement in such stories. Lee also advised Shams to apologize over the matter.

When and how will this conflict stop? There’s no certain answer to that. But one thing is for sure— the drama will continue, as far as into next summer.