The Jimmy Butler trade rumors have gotten to the point where Miami Heat president Pat Riley needed to step in to say what the organization will be doing.
From his words, Butler isn’t going anywhere.
"We usually don’t comment on rumors, but all this speculation has become a distraction to the team and is not fair to the players and coaches," Riley said in a Heat statement. "Therefore, we will make it clear – we are not trading Jimmy Butler."
Well, all that changed with Riley’s statement on the matter, as the Heat want their star guard/forward to stay put.
Butler is currently averaging 18.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.9 assists over 20 games so far this season.
Looking ahead to next season, Butler isn’t expected to activate his $52.4 million player option. The Miami Herald also reported the Heat being unwilling to extend him through the 2026-27 season, so there’s a good chance that Butler, who would be 36 years old next season, would be looking for a new squad next season.
Before becoming a force on the Heat, Butler spent his first six NBA seasons with the Chicago Bulls, starting in the 2011-12 campaign after being drafted 30th overall out of Marquette.
He was a three-time All-Star in the Windy City, while winning Most Improved Player for his performance in the 2014-15 season.
Butler would end up going to the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2017, but it didn’t last long as he was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers midway through the 2018-19 season.
The versatile two-way star has been a cornerstone of the Heat locker room since joining the squad in 2019, getting two All-Star nods over the past six seasons.
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes was sent off as his side went down 2-0 at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Thursday -- a fourth defeat in their last five Premier League games.
Fulham came from behind to beat neighbours Chelsea 2-1 after a 95th minute goal from substitute Rodrigo Muniz gave the visitors all three point in the Premier League on Thursday.
Bernardo Silva scored an early goal but Erling Haaland missed a penalty as struggling Manchester City drew 1-1 with Everton to kick off a full slate of Boxing Day games on Thursday.
Cole Palmer has set a new mark for most Premier League goals in a calendar year for Chelsea after giving his team the lead against Fulham at Stamford Bridge on Thursday.
Ruben Amorim has suggested that Marcus Rashford's latest omission from the Manchester United squad was because the England international hasn't changed since his initial dropping.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens was singled out by NFL legend Terrell Owens after the Steelers dropped three straight games, including a lopsided loss to the Kansas City Chiefs Christmas Day.
Returning from a three-game absence after a hamstring injury, Pickens was expected to have an impact against the defending champions.
But after just three receptions for 50 yards, the third-year wideout faced scrutiny for his lack of production. Among those calling him out was Hall of Famer Terrell Owens.
Responding to a social media post about Cam Hayward’s postgame comments in which he said, "When 10 guys do their job and one guy doesn’t, we are screwed," Owens agreed there was a similar issue on offense.
"Same on offense as well when you got #14 not running his routes causing [interceptions,]" Owens said in a post on X.
Owens seemed to be referencing a play at the end of the first quarter. With the Chiefs leading 13-0, veteran quarterback Russell Wilson threw an interception in the end zone. While taking ownership for the mistake, Wilson acknowledged Pickens was supposed to run another route.
"Yeah, you know, I think he was going to go vertical. But, at the end of the day, it can't happen. It’s on me," Wilson said, via FOX 8. "I was trying to give Pat [Freiermuth] a chance. He's done a good job for us down in the red zone, and they made a good play."
The Steelers have lost three games in 11 days.
"The bottom line is the junior varsity is not good enough. We've got to own that," head coach Mike Tomlin said.
Teddy Bridgewater is looking to win two championships in a two-month span.
Bridgewater spent the fall coaching at his high school alma mater, leading Miami Northwestern High to the Florida Class 3A state title earlier this month. But now, it's on to another championship.
He is back with the Detroit Lions as a veteran backup for their playoff run.
The Lions have clinched a playoff spot and can earn the top seed in the NFC with two more wins, but just in case Jared Goff goes down, they wanted to go with somebody with experience; Hendon Hooker had been serving as Goff's backup throughout the season.
Bridgewater served as a backup for the Lions last year.
Bridgewater was a first-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings in 2014 and has started 65 games over his NFL career. He also spent two seasons in New Orleans when Dan Campbell was an assistant with the Saints.
Campbell raved about his relationship with Bridgewater during his media availability on Thursday.
"I've been in contact with Teddy for a while, and it was something that was always a potential possibility. And we all know what Teddy's been doing down there and giving back to his community, and they won a championship down there, so his debut coaching worked out pretty dang good," Campbell said.
"To be able to add somebody back here that's got experience, he's staying in shape, he's been throwing, just get him worked back in here a little bit. It just brings a level of professionalism, veteran presence, somebody that's great for our team."
The Lions control their own destiny in forcing the NFC playoffs to run through their own home turf.
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