“Jimmy Butler has to be chuckling over this.” It’s hard to argue with Skip Bayless on that one, especially after seeing what’s become of the Miami Heat since Butler’s exit. Fans who’ve followed the situation know it wasn’t just a casual parting of ways. Things shifted dramatically last offseason when Heat president Pat Riley publicly called out the 6x All-Star’s lack of availability and, shortly after, the front office refused to hand him a two-year, $113 million extension. Now, with the team’s current state, you’ve got to wonder—did the Heat shoot themselves in the foot by letting him walk?
What makes this moment even more telling is that even those who once doubted the 6x All-Star are starting to see his worth. And yes, we’re talking about none other than Dwight Howard. The former Lakers big man had previously voiced concerns over Jimmy Butler’s approach to contract negotiations. “As good as he is, who’s going to invest if they know that this could possibly end up in that same type of situation at the end of that contract,” Howard had said. Fast forward to now, and it seems D12’s tune has changed, especially after seeing the Heat’s collapse.
Miami was completely outmatched in their four-game series against Cleveland, getting outscored by a combined 122 points—the worst margin in any playoff series in league history. Howard was quick to point out that Butler’s absence loomed large. “Jimmy didn’t have nothing to do with this 100 Point differential over the whole series… I just felt like the energy from Miami wasn’t there that whole series. It just seemed like they lost that person the glue to the team. And then you see the effect that Jimmy has on the team that he’s with now,” he explained on the Above the Rim podcast.
Apr 20, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III (10) walks on the court during the second quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
And honestly, it’s tough to argue when you look at what the 6x All-Star is doing with the Warriors. In the first 20 games he suited up for them, the team snagged 16 wins. While his stats were solid, his calm leadership made the biggest difference. In their playoff battle against Houston, he dropped 25+ points in two games, reminding everyone why Playoff Jimmy is a thing. No surprise that Howard feels the Heat badly missed that presence during their brutal sweep.
But look at Butler with the Warriors – it’s like he was made for them. His tough defense, his playmaking, his clutch moments… it all just fits perfectly with their core. He’s brought a new dimension to that team, balancing their already potent offense with that veteran presence and competitive fire. It’s taken them to another level.
“I think they [Heat] ran out of gas and they didn’t have enough to compete with the Cavs, man. The Cavs got a squad, man, and they play defense,” D12 added. However, it’s not just the former Los Angeles Lakers star who’s realizing the impact of Butler’s absence from Miami.
Following the clean sweep, Miami Heat head coach opens up on Jimmy Butler’s absence
For the past few months, Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra and the team steered clear of publicly addressing Jimmy Butler’s situation. But as the dust settled on another early playoff exit, the 6x All-Star’s controversial mid-season departure became a focal point during the team’s exit interviews.
After being swept in the first round for the second straight year, the Heat convened at the Kaseya Center on Wednesday. Coaches, players, and executives met one final time before heading into the offseason, with media availability offering a chance for reflection. Unsurprisingly, much of that reflection centered around a season overshadowed by Butler’s drama.
“It certainly had an impact,” Spoelstra said Wednesday when asked how Butler’s contentious exit impacted the team. “We are an organization that prides ourselves on not making any kind of excuses. Even if we managed it perfectly, there’s always second-guessing on what we could have done better just to right the ship. It was turbulent waters. But it’s not as if that would have moved the needle for us to be first in the conference. That’s unrealistic.”
Well, there’s no denying that Jimmy Butler’s absence in the Heat is being felt, but now the damage has been done. And there’s seemingly no option for Miami but to look for a rebuild.
You’ve got to think that the Heat’s decision to let Butler walk could have some serious long-term effects on the franchise. They might be looking at a rebuild now, which means the front office has to really rethink their whole team-building strategy. How are they going to attract and keep that star-level talent in the future, you know, to compete in the East?
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