Pat Riley’s memories of Jimmy Butler are still fond.
Despite their reportedly contentious split, which played out across multiple scathing reports and an eventual trade that sent the six-time All-Star to Golden State in February, ending a magical six seasons in Miami, Riley didn’t torch the once fiery Heat star.
“There’s no doubt that what happened with Jimmy had a tremendous impact on our team,” Riley said during a press conference on Friday. “There’s no doubt about it. So the buck stops with me. I’ll take that hit if you want it.”
He said he still has a photo of Butler in his office — the famous one of the 6-foot-7 wing leaning over the scorer’s table during a game in the 2020 NBA Finals as he went blow-for-blow against LeBron James and the Lakers with an undermanned Heat team.
“I remember this about Jimmy,” Riley recalled. “I remember the bubble when he was hanging over the scorer’s table. Exhausted and trying to win a title. I remember that. I have that in my office — that picture.”
Butler led the Heat to two Finals appearances — with another in 2023 — and while they lost both, and his relationship with Riley subsequently deteriorated, the current and long-time Heat President chose to remember the good on Friday.
But he also addressed the trade itself, saying he’s not going to apologize for how the organization handled the situation despite criticisms from some media members.
Butler wanted a contract extension last summer, and while eligible, he still had the 2024-25 season left on his deal.
The Heat opted not to offer the extension and revisit the contract situation down the road, and Butler became unhappy about not getting paid despite his accomplishments with the organization, though he became extension-eligible following the 2023-24 season, the Heat’s worst since he arrived.
“I’m not going to apologize for saying no on a contract extension when we didn’t have to,” Riley said. “And I don’t think I should.”
Regarding the Butler situation, he later added, “It’s over. I wish him well, good luck to him, and I hope deep down in his heart somewhere he wishes us well too.”
Riley, who jokingly noted that “80 is the new 60,” less than two months removed from turning 80 years old, says that while he has just made 30 years with the Heat, his intention is to press forward in what could be a transformational summer for the suddenly middling franchise.
“It’s a process, but I’m not going to deal with a long process, nor is ownership,” he said.