The Miami Heat have reported big plans for the franchise that revolves around All-Star ahead of Jimmy Butler’s remaining years in South Beach.
According to Brian Windhorst of ESPN, the Heat’s future looks set to be exciting as they build on Butler’s presence in the lineup.
“Meanwhile, Jimmy Butler elsewhere in the bubble told the Miami Heat that they not only have a shot at stealing the Eastern Conference this year, but they have enormous purchase plans for the rest of Butler’s four-year deal,” Windhorst wrote. “Pat Riley and Erik Spoelstra love Butler’s mindset and how it led to the Heat emerging into a group of overachievers.”
Bam Adebayo became an All-Star this season, but to be competitive in the coming years, the Heat need to be big swingers, whether in the free agency or through trade.
Yet even though Miami was thought to be an All-Star away from a legitimate title race prior to the start of the 2019-20 season, Butler’s leadership and work ethic have transformed it into a dark horse candidate to now win the East.
After Thursday’s 109-100 beatdown by the Indiana Pacers in Game 2 of their first-round series, the Heat are one step closer to reaching that goal. Butler scored 18 points to go along with seven rebounds and six assists.