NBA insider says Jimmy Butler is 'highly motivated' for big Heat season

There are many reasons why the Miami Heat have finished eighth in the Eastern Conference the last two seasons, but maybe none more than Jimmy Butler’s inconsistent play during the regular season.

That may change.

At his press conference this spring, Pat Riley said publicly that the Heat would not entertain giving Butler a long-term contract extension after a disappointing and injury-riddled season. Butler played in just 60 games last season and was absent for Miami’s first-round loss to the Boston Celtics because of a knee injury sustained in the play-in tournament.

Now Butler is entering what could be the final year of his contract if he opts out of his $52.4 million deal next summer.

According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, Butler is “highly motivated to have a big year.”

“It’s fertile ground for Jimny to have a big year to try to get one last big contact for the Heat,” Windhorst said on the Hoop Collective podcast.

Jimmy Butler is highly motivated to have a better regular season. If he doesn't, it could be his last with the Miami Heat.

A new deal to keep Butler in Miami is far from a guarantee. He’ll be 35 this season and has failed to play 65 games in each of the past two regular seasons. While his playoff heroics are undisputable, it’s fair to wonder when Butler will age out of his prime. 

 “The Heat have shown in the Riley years, they will move off of players when they think that it’s time,” Windhorst added.

Heat fans will remember the summer of 2016, when a 35-year-old Dwyane Wade left over a contract dispute. If Riley is willing to let an icon like Wade leave, he won’t let nostalgia dictate a decision with Butler next summer.

Butler will need to be more available next regular season – something Riley drilled home during his end-of-season press conference. There were many night when Butler was a late scratch or the reason for his absence was questionable, but it was generally accepted that Butler would take off regular-season games with the aim of preserving his body for the postseason.

That approach bit the Heat in the end, and the expectation is that Butler will play more games and help the Heat avoid slipping into the play-in tournament for the third straight season.

“There was a bunch of games he was a late scratch with odd normality,” Windhorst said. “I think in a 50-50 situation this year, you’re more likely to see Jimmy play.”