Miami Heat president Pat Riley reportedly became emotional during a meeting with Jimmy Butler in an attempt to convince the star forward to stay with the team.
Sources told The Athletic that Riley, known for his toughness, welled up with tears while trying to connect with Butler on a personal level. The two share a history of loss, having both lost their fathers, and Riley sought to appeal to that shared experience.
“But Riley’s vulnerability did not land with Butler,” the report stated. “The player viewed Riley’s behavior as ‘unhinged,’ a league source close to Butler said.
Butler left the meeting more convinced than ever that he needed a new basketball home.”
Butler, who joined the Heat in 2019 and led them to two NBA Finals appearances, has now moved on to a new chapter in his career.
Miami ultimately secured a trade this week, sending Butler to the Golden State Warriors in a multi-team deal that brought them Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson, and a top-10-protected 2025 first-round pick.
Before the trade, the Heat suspended Butler three times within a month for various reasons.
The first suspension was a seven-game ban for conduct detrimental to the team. In announcing the suspension, the Heat also revealed their willingness to entertain trade offers for the six-time All-Star.
Butler was later suspended for two games after missing a team flight and then indefinitely for walking out of a practice.
The 35-year-old spent the past six seasons in Miami after previous stints with the Chicago Bulls, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Philadelphia 76ers.
The post Report: Jimmy Butler unmoved by Pat Riley’s emotional plea to stay in Miami first appeared on Fastbreak.
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