The Heat’s intention to trade “Master Chief” Butler has been rumored for more than a month. The Heat opened an offer, and the rumors were full of rumors. Finally, the Heat’s president of basketball affairs, Leary, denied it and temporarily put it to rest.
Leary is well versed in media culture, NBA market and public relations rhetoric. “Normally we don’t respond to rumors, but this incident has gone viral and has affected the team. We have no plans to trade Butler, that’s all.”
If you know Leary well enough, then you will definitely not believe what he says. Whether Leary wants to trade or not, it is actually under his control. Leary is good at keeping quiet and giving the world the biggest shock.
In the summer of 2004, the Heat acquired O’Neal from the Lakers in a trade. In the summer of 2010, the Heat formed the super trio of James , Bosh, and Wade. In the summer of 2012, Allen moved to the Heat from the Celtics. In the summer of 2019, Butler joined the Heat from 76 He went to the Heat, when did Leary reveal the news, and who in the NBA has first-hand information.
Two months ago, when Leary decided not to renew his contract with Butler in advance to meet Butler’s three-year price tag of at least US$150 million, Butler and the Heat had long been separated.
Leary is in no hurry, because he only needs to deal with Butler’s contract before the end of June 2025. He can open the offer for a full year to see the market reaction and the team’s true strength.
Butler is really anxious. Even if the 35-year-old Butler jumps out of the last year of his $52 million contract and enters the free agent market this summer, he still wants to get a multi-year contract of at least $100 million. There are really many variables.
When the Heat open up rumors about Butler’s offer, Leary, Butler, and Butler’s agent may consult privately, or even deliberately spread the rumors to test the market’s reaction. This is a necessary strategy and psychology. Anyone who denies it is a public relations response to the market.
Leary finally came out to deny the rumors of trading Butler, stopping the rumors from bleeding. Leary should have grasped the market trends and market conditions. Publicly denying the trade plan gave the Heat the initiative. Butler must start to hesitate whether to take the risk of jumping out of the contract this summer.
The NBA player market is fictitious and real, and teams and teams, teams and agents, general managers and players compete with each other. The truth is often more realistic and cruel than what is shown in movies.
Butler’s tenacity makes him even more valuable in the playoffs, and his leadership ability is at the league’s elite level. The Heat have reached the Eastern Conference finals three times in five years and the championship game twice, all bearing the mark of Master Chief Butler.
The problem is that Butler is already 35 years old and will be 36 when the last year of his contract expires. It is impossible for the Heat to give him another point worth a contract. This situation is just like Wade’s last two years with the Heat. Leary cannot and cannot give Wade the contract and price he wants. Otherwise, it will be difficult for the Heat to maintain competitiveness while quickly rebuilding and strengthening.
