Jimmy Butler has a knack for trolling, whether it’s through quirky antics like showing up to picture day with a bizarre haircut or playfully jabbing at other teams from the sidelines or on social media. True to his nature, the Miami Heat star stirred the pot when he attended a WNBA game between the Los Angeles Sparks and the Dallas Wings. His antics during a courtside interview were no exception.
When asked about Sparks rookies Rickea Jackson and Cameron Brink, Butler seized the moment to deliver a comment that piqued curiosity and speculation. “For some reason, 22 looks good in purple and gold,” he remarked with a smirk, alluding to Brink’s number, his own jersey number, and potentially the Lakers.
Though Butler was likely just having fun, rumors have been swirling about possible friction between him and the Miami Heat. After the Heat were eliminated in the first round of the NBA Playoffs by the Boston Celtics, Butler, who missed the series due to injury, confidently stated that the outcome would have been different had he played. “If I was playing, Boston would be at home, New York damn sure would be f—ing at home,” Butler declared in a video that made the rounds online.
These comments didn’t sit well with Pat Riley, the esteemed executive and former coach of the Heat. Riley addressed Butler’s remarks in a post-season press conference, questioning whether Butler was serious or just trolling. “For him to say that, I thought, ‘Is that Jimmy trolling or is that Jimmy serious?’ If you’re not on the court playing against Boston, if you’re not on the court playing against the New York Knicks, you should keep your mouth shut in your criticism of those teams,” Riley stated.
Riley also appeared to critique his players, including Butler, for their availability during the season. Notably, Butler hasn’t played more than 65 games in a season since 2016-17, his last year with the Chicago Bulls. This season, Butler faced personal and injury challenges but will be eligible for a two-year extension worth over $100 million this offseason. Riley, however, expressed caution about making such a significant commitment. “That’s a big decision on our part to commit those kinds of resources unless you have somebody who’s going to be there and available every single night,” Riley explained. “That’s the truth.”
Riley emphasized the importance of player availability and having a healthy roster. “We’ve got a really good group of guys and the No. 1 issue is player availability and having your guys healthy to play every night,” he said. “And we have to wrap our arms around that notion.”
The future of Butler and Riley’s professional relationship remains uncertain. Butler is set to earn $48.8 million next season, with an option for $52.4 million in 2025. While Butler’s comments might suggest underlying tension, one thing is certain: he won’t be donning the No. 22 jersey for the Los Angeles Lakers. That number was retired in honor of Elgin Baylor in 1983, making it off-limits to any current or future Lakers players.
