Dan Le Batard Claims There is ‘Relief’ in Miami Following Trade

Warriors' Jimmy Butler misses loss to 76ers due to back spasms - ABC7 San Francisco

The Jimmy Butler trade saga came to a blissful end on Feb. 6, when it was announced that the forward would be heading to the Golden State Warriors to assist Steph Curry.

In the weeks leading up to the decision, Butler’s desire to leave Miami was no secret at all. In fact, it was an extremely public stand-off that led to three suspensions and lots of speculation.

So, it’s not terribly shocking (though it is interesting) to hear that the Heat were reportedly all too relieved to see Butler go when the time finally came, per Thursday’s episode of The Dan Le Batard Show.

Le Batard’s remarks came as part of a larger conversation regarding what players owe their organizations and vice versa, as seen through Butler’s faltering connection with team president Pat Riley.

“The relief in that building that Jimmy Butler is gone, not just because of what’s happened over the last couple of months, but because of how things were bent to him,” the Heat insider said. “And if you talk to enough Heat people you’ll know that they felt like they were dealing with something—and they were not saying this publicly in any way—an unstable ingredient that they used as a furnace and fuel to get to the championship and then when it became about money problems, nobody wanted to be at work.

“Like, nobody wanted to be at work around this person who was an unstable element.”

Watch part of that below:

Was Jimmy Butler’s departure from Miami a relief to the organization? pic.twitter.com/RLHhXqJ6Rd

https://twitter.com/LeBatardShow/status/1897668786720768419?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1897668786720768419%7Ctwgr%5Ee5a6d6d54bf494de5c7910da3a2637c70982156f%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.si.com%2Fnba%2Fdan-le-batard-relief-in-miami-following-jimmy-butler-trade

It’s well-known at this point that there is no love lost between Butler and his former franchise, but Le Batard’s comments shed a bit more light on the problem itself and how long, perhaps, it had been going on.

Since the trade, the Heat have gone 4–8, but are 3–2 in their last five games. Butler, meanwhile, has had a great start over in San Fran, where the Warriors have gone 9–2 since acquiring him.

Related Posts

Warriors’ Draymond Green crushes Bills fans’ hope with brutal Josh Allen prediction

Draymond Green questions Josh Allen’s clutch gene.

Bulls’ sudden urgency to seal Josh Giddey contract shouldn’t go unnoticed

After months of back-and-forth and long stretches of silence between Josh Giddey and the Chicago Bulls, the team finally made a deal happen.

Coby White aims for a slam dunk in contract talks with Chicago Bulls extension desires unveiled

Explore Coby White’s ambitions for a contract extension with the Chicago Bulls and what it means for his future.

Bulls’ Next Big Star? Kuminga Rumors Swirl

Could the Bulls acquire Jonathan Kuminga? Get insights into the latest on the Bulls and the Warriors’ forward situation.

Even a savvy Josh Giddey contract can’t save the Bulls from themselves

Chicago just signed Josh Giddey to a team-friendly contract, but the lack of smart decisions over the past half-decade has put them in too big a hole.

Erik Spoelstra eyes elusive coach of the year honor as Heat Culture sparks debate in quest for NBA recognition

Explore Erik Spoelstra’s quest for the Coach of the Year title as he aims for NBA recognition.