The Heat are still pursuing a trade for their star forward Jimmy Butler despite his return to the court, NBA insider Mark Stein reports.
“Butler does become an active member of the Heat again, but league sources emphasized that Miami is determined to continue to explore trade possibilities between now and the February 6 trade deadline because of real concerns that there is still quite a long season left to complete. For two parties that want immediate separation, coexistence,” Stein wrote.
The Heat suspended Butler seven games for “repeated conduct detrimental to the team” after he said he “no longer” wanted to be a member of the team.
Jimmy played his first game on Friday, a 133-113 loss to the Nuggets. He made 7 of 15 shots and scored 18 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and a turnover.
“I guess that’s basketball,” Butler told reporters after the game. “I know what I’m supposed to do while I’m here and do it to the best of my ability, but we’re where we are now.”
He also made it clear that his problem is not with his teammates.
“It feels good to go out there and compete with these guys and really run around,” Butler said. “As everyone is probably thinking, I have no problem with these guys. These guys are cool. They’re my friends. … My resentment has nothing to do with them and never will. Never. But it’s the feeling of going out and playing basketball. Very good indeed.
When Jimmy was asked what would have happened if he were still on the team on February 7, he smiled and said: “We play a lot of ‘what ifs,’ don’t we? I’m going to be playing basketball.
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