The Miami Heat culture lives to fight another day. Per the Athletic’s Shams Charania report, Jimmy Butler is expected to sign a 4-year contract north of $184 million when the league year opens on August 6. It appears the Heat have faith in Butler’s leadership and on-court abilities.
Breaking: Five-time NBA All-Star Jimmy Butler is expected to agree to a maximum contract extension with the Miami Heat when the league year opens on Aug. 6, sources tell me and @JonKrawczynski.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 2, 2021
Despite the Heat’s speedy first-round exit, albeit at the hands of the Milwaukee Bucks, Butler and Kyle Lowry make for a legitimate defensive pairing. Without COVID-19 protocols causing players to miss a handful of games, expect the Heat to build on its 2020 season. Butler experienced a stretch in which he showcased side effects from the deadly virus.
The Heat and Jimmy Butler are progressing toward a max contract extension that could be worth up to $184 million over four years, sources told @WindhorstESPN.https://t.co/nSAADl7kNm
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 2, 2021
It’s plausible Butler bounces back to his 2020 playoff numbers, especially in light of the additional ball-handling support. Although Butler’s 21.5 points per game aren’t something to scoff at, there is room to improve for a less-than-stellar- 3-point shooting. Perhaps the efficiency improves with Lowry now in the lineup.
Any break for the never-quit attitude of Jimmy Butler bodes well for the playoff stretch. Consider the re-signings of Duncan Robinson and Butler the foundation and the Lowry sign-and-trade the cherry on top.
