Heat forward Jimmy Butler. (Journal Sentinel)
All-Star forward Jimmy Butler is expected to sign a maximum contract extension with the Miami Heat for four years and more than $184 million.
Jimmy Butler has spent two fruitful seasons with the Miami Heat. They’re looking forward to keeping him on board for another four.
Butler is on the verge of signing a huge contract extension with the team, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. When the league year opens on Aug. 6, the forward will agree to a four-year extension expected to be worth more than $184 million.
While Butler was still under contract for 2021-22 with a player option for 2022-23, the Heat made sure they won’t have to worry about his free agency prospects in the future.
Jimmy Butler will sign a four-year extension with the Miami Heat
Butler came to Miami via a sign-and-trade agreement in 2019. They added Buttler and Meyers Leonard while parting with Josh Richardson, Hassan Whiteside and a first-round pick in a four-team deal.
Was that trade worth it? Undoubtedly. Butler was an All-Star in 2019-20 while carrying the team to the NBA Finals. He averaged 19.9 points, 6.7 rebounds and 6.0 assists in the regular season. He raised his game in the NBA Playoff bubble with 22.2 points per game. Running into LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the Lakers while Miami dealt with injury issues prevented his Finals appearance from ending with a trophy.
The 2020-21 season proved the Heat need to invest to give Butler and company another chance at glory. Butler had an excellent campaign averaging 21.5 points with career-bests in rebounds and assists. However, Miami was swept in the first round of the playoffs by Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks.
Locking in Butler, who will be 32 when next season begins, is the first step towards setting up the team for future success.