Draymond Green has never been shy about sharing his opinions, and his latest jab at the Miami Heat has stirred quite the reaction among fans. Following the Heat’s trade of Haywood Highsmith to the Brooklyn Nets for a 2026 second-round pick, Green trolled “internet experts” who once claimed Highsmith could replace Jimmy Butler.
“Y’all (internet experts) wanted Jimmy to come off the bench behind dude, and 5 months later the Heat traded him for a bag of chips. That’s wild,” Green tweeted, later tagging Butler on Instagram. Butler quickly distanced himself from the drama, saying he wanted no part of the conversation.
The comment, however, hit a nerve in Miami. Highsmith, though a capable shooter who started 42 games last season, never proved to be more than a role player. He averaged 6.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists while shooting 38.2% from deep. By contrast, Butler — before his midseason trade to the Golden State Warriors — averaged 17.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.4 assists on 50.4% shooting, still anchoring Miami’s offense despite injuries and a rocky exit.
Fans quickly fired back at Green, arguing that his defense of Butler felt like a thinly veiled dig at the Heat’s current roster and direction. The reality, though, is more financial than personal. Highsmith’s departure brought Miami below the luxury-tax threshold, trimming his $5.6 million salary and giving the franchise more flexibility.
Still, the move highlights a larger issue: Miami’s uncertain rebuild. After missing out on Kevin Durant and LeBron James this summer, the Heat are left building around Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo, and a supporting cast that may rely heavily on veteran minimum signings.
For a franchise accustomed to star power, the message from Green only amplified fan frustrations — and put the spotlight back on what Miami’s next move will be.
(This is a building story….)
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