It is clear that Jimmy Butler wants a contract extension with the Heat. His current contract runs out at the end of the 2025-26 season. However, it might not be best for the Heat to give him a contract extension. Butler has missed quite a few games due to injury in recent years and seems to be declining as a player overall. The Heat also have to be wary of the luxury tax, especially as they look to add offensive talent to the team. Without further ado, let’s discuss Jimmy Butler’s contract extension situation.
Heat 2024 Offseason Part 4: Butler Prefers to Stay with the Heat But Wants a Contract Extension
It is important to start this discussion by pointing out that Butler reportedly wants to stay with the Heat. He has had multiple great seasons with the Heat and is beloved by Heat fans. However, Butler does want a contract extension.
Butler’s current contract will pay him $48.7 million in the upcoming 2024-25 NBA season. After that, Butler has a $52 million player option for the 2025-26 season. It is unlikely that Butler will decline that option, especially since he will be 37 years old at the time. Butler certainly won’t get anywhere near that much money in 2025 free agency if he declines his player option.
The Heat Are Reluctant to Agree to a Jimmy Butler Contract Extension
Despite Butler’s desire to stay with the Heat, the Heat seem unlikely to give Butler a contract extension in the 2024 offseason. Pat Riley stated that availability is the primary factor when it comes to the Heat’s decision to extend Butler’s contract or not. This is fair.
Butler has missed quite a few games in recent seasons due to injury. He also missed the Heat’s entire first-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics this past season. His availability is a major concern at this point for the Heat.
Heat 2024 Offseason Part 4: What Happens if the Heat Don’t Give Butler a Contract Extension?
There is plenty of speculation about what happens if the Heat decline to give Butler the contract extension he wants. It seems unlikely that the Heat will trade Butler in the 2024 offseason. However, if Butler is significantly upset with the Heat because he didn’t get a contract extension, the situation could change.
The most likely scenario is that the Heat decline to give Butler a contract extension now and reevaluate the situation after the 2024-25 season is over. Bam Adebayo is clearly the best player on the Heat now, which is part of why his jersey sells so well. As a result, the Heat’s priority should be to build a contending team around Bam, even if that means moving on from Jimmy Butler.
The Situation Will Likely Develop Further After the NBA Finals Are Over
Once the NBA Finals are over, we will likely see more developments in this situation. Jimmy Butler probably won’t get a contract extension in the 2024 offseason. We will see what happens.
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