Heat may be cooling on Jimmy Butler's long-term future

Jimmy Butler is eligible for a contract extension from the Miami Heat. The 34-year-old has two years remaining on his $146.4 million deal. The final year of the contract is a player option. 

According to The Athletic's John Hollinger, the Heat are reportedly cooling on the idea of extending their star forward's deal. 

"Jimmy Butler is extension-eligible, but between his declining play this season and the constant absences, there are increasingly loud whispers that his future might not be in Miami," Hollinger wrote. "The Heat openly talking about Bam Adebayo as the keeper of the #HeatCulture flame and not mentioning Butler as much is another notable point."

Butler played in 60 regular-season games for the Heat this year. He averaged 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5 assists, shooting 49.9% from the field and 41.4% from three-point range. However, he suffered an MCL strain when facing the Philadelphia 76ers in the opening game of the play-in tournament on April 18. 

Without Butler, the Heat were eliminated from the postseason by the Boston Celtics, losing four of five games and being held to under 100 points on four occasions. The Heat's roster needs to be upgraded. Outside of Bam Adebayo and Jaime Jaquez Jr., there aren't many players on their team that project to be high-level options for the future. 

Allowing Butler to leave, either in the 2025 free agency or via trade, would give Pat Riley the additional cap space required to begin retooling Erik Spoelstra's roster. Butler has been a success story during his tenure with the Heat. However, he is beginning to show signs of aging and can no longer be relied upon to lead the line for a physical Miami team. His contract demands limit the likelihood that he would be willing to accept a reduced role. 

The Heat have a tough decision to make. Butler has earned a contract extension. Riley has to do what's best for the franchise. Miami will likely be ruthless, which could mean Butler is suiting up for a new team sooner rather than later.