Jimmy Butler stated that above all, he wanted James Harden to be happy, even if it meant demanding a trade to the Miami Heat.
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Butler was spotted posting a like on an Instagram post claiming the Beard wishes to be traded to the Miami Heat. Naturally, questions arose as to what the Heat’s best player’s thoughts on the trade would be.
Butler was on a tear for the Heat during the playoffs through 2 months. He elevated his play to a whole another level in the Finals, posting only the second 40-point triple double at that stage in NBA history. He followed up his legendary Game 3 performance with another monumental one in Game 5, coming in clutch with a 35-point triple-double.
“I like James. He’s a friend of mine. I just want him to be happy.”
– Jimmy Butler on James Harden
(Via ESPN The Jump) pic.twitter.com/ePMDp6iviJ— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) December 10, 2020
Jimmy Butler speaks his mind about the James Harden trade
When asked by Rachel Nichols of ESPN what he thought about the Harden trade, Butler was quite straightforward in his recruiting pitch:
“I like James. He’s a friend of mine. I just want him to be happy.”
But Jimmy also backed his current teammates to the hilt.
Jimmy Butler when asked about the possibility of James Harden on the Heat;
“I like the group we have…To be honest, I just want the guy to be happy.”
(h/t @gifdsports) pic.twitter.com/nCzqckyIbr
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) December 10, 2020
The Heat star has cemented his name as one of the clutchest players in the league through these 2020 Bubble playoffs. He would now like to build his resume up even further, hopefully leading his team to another long playoff run.
James Harden has come up agonizingly short of the NBA Finals twice in the last 8 seasons with the Rockets. He has every right to feel like the franchise has run its course and its championship window is closed.
News emerged yesterday of the 2018 NBA MVP adding the Milwaukee Bucks and the Miami Heat to his list of preferred trade destinations. The Rockets organization remains tight-lipped about this, but there is a growing sense that his time in Houston is done.
