Jimmy Butler Traded to Warriors After Emotional Rift with Pat Riley

A tense meeting between Butler and Miami Heat president Pat Riley, marked by conflicting accounts of emotional exchanges, solidified Butler's decision to leave Miami.

• Jimmy Butler was traded to the Golden State Warriors in a five-team deal after tensions with the Miami Heat escalated over the past month.
• A January 7 meeting between Butler and Heat president Pat Riley, intended to repair their relationship, reportedly left Butler feeling Riley's behavior was 'unhinged' and 'disturbing.'
• Riley's emotional attempt to connect with Butler, including references to their shared experiences of losing their fathers, did not resonate with the player, according to sources close to Butler.
• The fallout led to Butler's suspension from the team and his eventual trade, which brought Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson, Davion Mitchell, and a protected 2025 first-round pick to the Heat.
• At his Warriors introductory press conference, Butler expressed relief at being in a new environment, stating he had regained his joy for basketball.

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