Pat Riley reflected on Jimmy Butler’s rocky exit from Miami, acknowledged its impact, and emphasized a need for roster changes. At 80, Riley remains committed to leading the Heat’s rebuild, saying both he and ownership won’t accept a slow turnaround.
Speaking publicly for the first time since Jimmy Butler’s turbulent season ended with a trade to Golden State, Pat Riley addressed the situation at his annual end-of-season press conference, expressing mixed emotions but no lingering animosity.
Jimmy Butler
| MIN: | 32.08 |
| PTS: | 17.92 (63.25%) |
| REB: | 5.49 |
| As: | 5.35 |
| ST: | 1.41 |
| BL: | 0.32 |
| TO: | 1.29 |
| GM: | 63 |
“I wish Jimmy well,” Riley said. “And deep down, I believe he wishes us well, too.”
Butler was suspended three times this season and ultimately traded in February after tensions with the Heat escalated. Riley admitted Butler’s situation had a major effect on the team.
“There’s no doubt what happened with Jimmy had a tremendous impact on our team,” Riley said. “So, the buck stops with me. I’ll take the hit.”
Last year’s end-of-season press conference may have marked the beginning of the rift. After missing Miami’s first-round loss to Boston due to injury, Butler suggested at a Formula 1 event that the Heat would have advanced had he played. Riley bristled at the comment, and the relationship began to fray.
The Heat later declined to offer Butler a two-year, $113 million extension. Butler expressed dissatisfaction, received multiple suspensions, and eventually said he had lost his joy playing in Miami.
Riley stood by the decision: “I’m not going to apologize for saying no on a contract extension when we didn’t have to. And I don’t think I should.”
By Friday, however, Riley made it clear there was no bitterness from his side.
“It’s over,” he said. “Good luck to him.”
As for the future, Riley hinted that change is inevitable.
“I don’t expect to run it back with the same roster,” he said. “There’s no doubt there has to be some change.”
The Heat finished 10th in the East and were swept by Cleveland in the first round, losing the final two games by a combined 92 points. Riley reminded reporters that he’s rebuilt rosters repeatedly over nearly three decades in Miami.
“I think we do have to make changes,” he reiterated.
Now 80 years old, Riley says he’s energized for another offseason challenge.
“I just turned 80 and I’m proud of it — 80 is the new 60,” he said. “I feel great. I’m as competitive as hell.”
He’s received the go-ahead to continue from Heat managing general partner Micky Arison and CEO Nick Arison.
“They said, ‘Carry on, Pat,’” Riley shared. “And I’m going to carry on and try to make this thing better.”
The Heat won’t tolerate a drawn-out rebuild.
“It’s a process,” Riley said. “But I’m not going to deal with a long process, nor is ownership.”
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