Should Miami Heat give max extension to Jimmy Butler?

Posted on by Jim Smarts

Since joining the Miami Heat as part of a 2019 sign-and-trade deal, Jimmy Butler has exceeded the team’s wildest hopes. The veteran forward led the club to the 2019 NBA Finals, and despite a brush with COVID-19 early in the season, he recovered to produce career-high rebounding and assists marks this season.

Jimmy Butler

Butler in for an extension

Butler joined the Heat after leaving the Philadelphia 76ers. Back then, he agreed to a four-year, $140.79 million deal with a player option for the 2022-23 season. Despite the fact that Jimmy Butler’s current contract has one more guaranteed year left, the five-time All-Star is expected to seek a maximum extension this offseason.

Jimmy Butler will likely ask for a maximum four-year deal from the Miami Heat for $181 million, according to sources. This summer, the 31-year-old is eligible to sign a contract extension. Butler would earn at least $40 million a season with a max deal, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, including $50.3 million in 2025-26, when he will be 36 years old.

Does he deserve the contract extension?

Butler suffered in the Heat’s first-round series loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, but with another All-NBA berth on the horizon and the Heat set to challenge for titles in the coming years, the five-time All-Star is anticipated to demand recompense for his Heat success.

Jimmy Butler has played a key role in Miami’s success the last two seasons. Since the start of the 2019-20 season, he has averaged 20.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game in 110 games.

Miami has built a strong core of talent surrounding Butler, with Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro. In case the head coach Erik Spoelstra and club president Pat Riley wishes to continue with this unit, the franchise can be expected to finalize a new agreement with Jimmy Butler as early as this summer to assure their long-term collaboration.

Jimmy Butler

Butler’s flaws are visible but he’s worthy enough

However, there are a few concerns for the team management. Butler will turn 32 before the start of the following season. Even though he’s never been in a severe injury, his history of fitness issues is extensive. He isn’t reputed for his endurance, especially over the last four seasons. During that time, he’s missed 75 regular-season games, including 20 already this season.

All players have their bad days, even seasons. There’s no denial about Butler’s talent. The Heat also have full support on their power forward. But this contract would bind Butler until he is 36. And remember that the contract will come at an astronomical price. This kind of deal would put them in jeopardy a few years down the road when Butler’s fitness begins to deteriorate.

 

Jimmy Butler
He seldom makes 3-pointers, which will make it difficult for him to contribute when his athleticism deteriorates. Keeping these factors in mind, maybe the Heat management will consider other options. But as it stands now, Butler has all the credibility to earn a contract extension at Miami. And why not? He has delivered brilliantly to this date. Who knows he might continue doing so over the next four years as well?