By Miguel Mike Medina
Photo: Nell Redmond/AP
Miami Heat’s Jimmy Butler doesn’t seem bothered by the constant trade rumors that have been circulating for about a month.
Butler took the time to address Shams Charania’s report about whether he wants to be traded or wants to stay in Miami.
“I like it,” Butler told the media. “No matter what I do, somebody is always saying something. Like I’ve been doing, I will keep my mouth shut and play basketball.”
https://twitter.com/Brendan_Tobin/status/1874154629967339646
The last part sounds like a response or pulling a Pat Riley when he told the media during the off-season, “ If you’re not on the court playing, you should keep your mouth shut.”
This is Riley when talked about Butler when Butler made comments about how the first-round series between the Heat and Celtics would’ve been different had he been healthy on the court.
“It doesn’t matter,” Butler said. “All of that is out of my control.”
Butler said that when asked if he wanted to be traded. Riley said the other day that the organization doesn’t have plans to trade Butler.
“I don’t know, we will see,” Butler said. “Only time would tell. I can’t tell you what will come tomorrow. I appreciate the statement, but this is a business, after all.”
Butler is 35 and averaging nearly 19 points per game. He’s got plenty of left in the tank. Durability continues to be a primary concern. He wants the maximum deal, but it’s a high risk at this career stage.
Butler is expected to return to the lineup on Wednesday night against the New Orleans Pelicans. He has missed the previous five games due to stomach illness.
Miguel Mike Medina is the publisher of The MMM Journal. He can be reached at medinamiguelmike@gmail.com and themmmjournal@gmail.com
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