Jimmy Butler on if he wants to stay with Heat: ‘That’s a good question. Who knows? I don’t’

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Jimmy Butler was back at practice with the Miami Heat on Tuesday after missing the team’s past five games. His presence was also the first time reporters have been able to speak to him following a Christmas Day ESPN report that he prefers to be traded before February’s NBA trade deadline.

After practice, Butler did not confirm or deny that he wishes to move on from the 16-14 Heat after parts of six seasons in Miami.

“Does it matter? Does it matter?” Butler responded when asked if he prefers to be traded. “I honestly do not care about getting traded, where I’m supposed to go, who’s saying what…. All of that is out of my control anyway.”

Heat president Pat Riley released a statement a day after the ESPN report emphatically denying that the team will trade the 35-year-old Butler.

Butler was asked if he would be happy if he remained with the Heat for the remainder of this season.

“I don’t know,” Butler said. “We will see. Only time will tell. I can’t tell you what’s going to happen come tomorrow. I appreciate the statement. But this is a business after all. I won’t have any hard feelings either way.”

Would it serve Butler and the Heat better if he stayed or went ahead of the Feb. 6 trade deadline?

“I don’t know. I don’t know. That’s up to Pat [Riley],” Butler said. “He will do what’s best for the organization as they should. And as long as I’m happy. And right now, I’m happy. I’m in a good space. I’ve got my kids here. I’m healthy. I’m smiling. I promise you I’m happy.”

In between the discussion on his future, Butler said he is ready to return to the lineup for Wednesday’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans.

Butler’s future in Miami will be a topic of discussion until there’s a trade or he states his desire to remain with the franchise. When asked if he wants to stay with the Heat, the six-time All-Star played coy.

“That’s a good question. Who knows? I don’t,” Butler said. “Right now, I’m here and I’m going to make the most of it. I am going to compete and I’m going to win. It’s a lot of talk, a lot of noise, which I’m cool with. It doesn’t bother me…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/jimmy-butler-on-if-he-wants-to-stay-with-heat-thats-a-good-question-who-knows-i-dont-184302896.html

Author : Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2024-12-31 18:43:00

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