It was almost inevitable. Jimmy Butler is injured again. He had to leave the court after playing just seven minutes in the Miami Heat’s 135-122 loss against the Denver Nuggets, which saw them go 3-5 to start off the 2024-25 season.
Remaining injury-free is one of the biggest challenges that Butler was facing this season, as he looks to earn himself one last massive contract extension.
The Heat confirmed on X during the game that Butler had suffered a right ankle sprain and that he would not be returning to the court.
The only positive is that Butler walked to the locker room on his own and did not need any help. So, one can hope that the injury is not serious.
Amid all this, Ira Winderman made an interesting claim as he wrote that Butler has dealt with ankle issue almost the entire season.
Butler to locker room. Has dealt with ankle issue almost the entire season.
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) November 9, 2024
That might explain some of the underwhelming performances that Butler has put in this season so far, as he has looked nowhere near his best.
The expectation was that he would be fired up and ready to put together one of the best seasons of his career after not being handed an extension in the summer but that has not looked like the case.
Considering his continued injury problems, lack of form and contract situation, the Heat have to consider potential trade options involving Butler. He has been linked with the Golden State Warriors, Brooklyn Nets and Houston Rockets in recent months.
The Heat had showcased a lot of trust in this group of players by not making any significant tweaks to the roster over the summer despite their first-round playoff exit at the hands of the Boston Celtics last season.
Unfortunately, from what we have seen so far this season, this roster is not good enough to compete with real contenders. It might be time to shake things up and Butler might have to be one of the first to go.
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