Inside The Heat

Top Analyst Makes Controversial Jimmy Butler Statement

NBA analyst thinks that it is time for Heat for part ways with Butler because he does not place a strong enough emphasis on the regular season.

Scott Salomon

Apr 17, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) reacts after a collision during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers in a play-in game of the 2024 NBA playoffs at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 17, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) reacts after a collision during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers in a play-in game of the 2024 NBA playoffs at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports / Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN NBA analyst Tim Legler thinks it's time for the Miami Heat to move on from Jimmy Butler.

Legler feels it's time to look for someone younger. He also said that there is no doubt that Butler is a clutch post-season performer, but that he has a tendency to walk through the regular season.

Legler doesn't believe the Heat should offer the two-year contract extension Butler wants.

"Let's fold," Legler said on ESPN's NBA Today show. "I know that's a big statement, but I was sensing something from the Heat last year. I feel like they are at a point where they want Jimmy Butler to prioritize the regular season more than he does. It's reached the point where they are a little frustrated with that."

Legler reiterated his position that trading Butler would yield a younger star in return. Butler's name is already surfacing in trade speculation.

"Is it time to think about, with Bam Abedayo as a guy you can put a star next to," Legler said. "It is time to get a guy a little bit more in the prime years of their career that pay a little bit more attention to that regular season that can also be a reliable playoff performer."

Legler closed with the fact that the relationship between Butler and the Heat has deteriorated of late.

"They want more from Jimmy Butler and I don't think this is trending in the right direction," Legler said.

Scott Salomon is a contributor to Inside the Heat. He can be reached at scottsalomon67@gmail.com.

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Scott Salomon
SCOTT SALOMON

Scott Salomon joined FanNation on Sports Illustrated in April 2024 covering breaking news and analysis for the Miami Dolphins channel. In June he joined Inside the Heat and Back in the Day NBA. Scott is based in South Florida and has been covering the local and national sports scene for 35 years. Scott has covered and has been credentialed for the Super Bowl, the NFL Combine, various Orange Bowls and college football championship games. Scott was also credentialed for the NBA All-Star game and covered the Miami Heat during their first six seasons for USA TODAY. Scott is a graduate of the University of Miami School of Communication and the St. Thomas University School of Law. Scott has two sons and his hobbies include watching sports on television and binge watching shows on various streaming services. Twitter: @ScottSalomonNFL