Miami Heat 1-on-1: Should the team take a chance on Jimmy Butler?

MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 30: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves drives on Dion Waiters #11 of the Miami Heat during a game at American Airlines Arena on October 30, 2017 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 30: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves drives on Dion Waiters #11 of the Miami Heat during a game at American Airlines Arena on October 30, 2017 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 18: Dwyane Wade and Jimmy Butler are seen at Stance Spades Tournament during NBA All-Star Weekend on February 18, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Bobby Metelus/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 18: Dwyane Wade and Jimmy Butler are seen at Stance Spades Tournament during NBA All-Star Weekend on February 18, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Bobby Metelus/Getty Images)

So do you think Butler will stick around South Florida for the long haul then?

Ebrahim: This is actually one of the reasons I love this fit so much, because I truly think he would re-sign with the team. Being that it is Dwyane Wade’s last season and that him and Wade have a good relationship (they travel together during the summer and they both played at the same alma mater), I would imagine that Wade is perfectly fine with handing the keys to the team to a guy like Butler. Having that type of connection to the team and an inside source on how the team has been run over a long period of time, would be ideal on convincing Butler to stay. Wade will be to Butler as Russell Westbrook was to Paul George. Plus, once Riley gets a plan in motion, he seems to make other things fall in place. Kyrie Irving, anyone?

Gewirtz: If Butler does end up in Miami, I think he will stay for a while. The only reason I believe this more than I would for any other team, is because he told the Timberwolves that Miami was his first choice. That also means that he might be willing to be more flexable with his contract next summer, depending on what the Heat have space for. As of now, the Heat already have 10 players with contracts extending into 2019-20 and are over the $109 million salary cap. Some moves will have to be made to get and keep Butler, but maybe not as many as they thought because he favors coming to the Heat.