Jimmy Butler made headlines during the 2020 Orlando Bubble not just for his stellar play during the Playoffs but also because of his supposed relationship with Rachel Nichols. All throughout the time that the Miami Heat was in the postseason, it was heavily rumored that Butler and the then ESPN reporter were more than just friends/acquaintances.
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Butler did a sit-down interview with Nichols during the Bubble and many fans pointed out that they had an undeniable level of chemistry with one another. Their banter never really indicated anything more than just a friendship but the internet being the way it is, once it latched onto the concept of them being romantically involved, it never wanted to let it go.
Even in 2023, there are rumors circulating around Jimmy and Rachel’s potential romance. Jeff Teague’s, Jimmy’s former teammate, recent story regarding the Minnesota Timberwolves practice gives a slight insight on what may be the connection between Butler and Nichols.
Jimmy Butler and Rachel Nichols may have been together since the 2017-18 season
Jeff Teague revealed on a podcast recently in quite the descriptive manner what truly transpired during the infamous ‘Jimmy Butler practice’ story when they were with the Timberwolves. Teague said that Butler was out of the training facility before he got a chance to play against the first stringers.
Teague’s choice of words were interesting here however. He said Jimmy went home directly and right after he did, he saw the interview with Rachel Nichols air on ESPN. NBA Twitter used this to conjure up the theory that Rachel was already at the Timberwolves star’s home waiting for him to come back from practice.
So Rachel Nichols was at his house waiting for Jimmy Butler to get home from practice. Then he did a national interview right after flexing… Absolute dog! 😤 https://t.co/X6305a6LwQ
— Furious Styles ✊🏾 (@boywonder34) April 27, 2023
So jimmy butler and Rachel nichols have been… since his Minnesota days? Is that what you are telling me😑 https://t.co/3lsMyBWj4j
— Timilehin ➐ (@timiparfect) April 27, 2023
These are all rumors and have not been confirmed by a credible source as of yet. It has been hypothesized purely off of what Teague said on the podcast. The sheer speed with which ESPN aired the interview is what caused fans to speculate on Rachel’s whereabouts during that day.
Jimmy Butler has another theory floating around about him
Jimmy Butler has been playing like the best player in the NBA in the past 6 games of the Playoffs. He led the Miami Heat to a gentlemen’s sweep over the number seeded Milwaukee Bucks and averaged over 37 points in that series while shooting over 60% from the field and 40% from beyond the arc.
Due to his play, the theory that Jimmy is Michael Jordan’s long lost son has once again been brought to the fore. Their facial similarities are undeniable and add on Michael’s extramarital ways into the mix while he was with Juanita Vanoy and these rumors could have some credibility to it.
