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[Saba Sports News] As trade rumors swirl around Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler, Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green shared his blunt predictions on the situation during his podcast.
With Butler serving a seven-game suspension and uncertainty looming over his future with the Heat, Green speculated on two extreme outcomes for the 35-year-old veteran.
Green suggested that Heat president Pat Riley might send Butler to a team “he absolutely hates” or instruct him to “go home” and sit out the rest of the season. “I could see two things happening,” Green said.
“Pat Riley could trade him to a garbage organization he despises or tell him to go home and wait until the offseason. What I don’t see is Butler reconciling with the team and resuming his role like nothing happened. It feels too far gone.”
While Green’s second scenario could hold some truth, reports suggest Miami is prepared for Butler to return if a favorable trade isn’t found. According to Anthony Chiang of *The Miami Herald*, the Heat expect Butler to rejoin the team and play after his suspension if no suitable deal materializes.
“While the Heat continues to explore trade options for Butler, his tenure with the team isn’t officially over,” Chiang reported. “The organization expects Butler to rejoin the roster and participate in games if no acceptable trade is completed.”
The Heat reportedly have no interest in paying Butler his $48.8 million salary to sit out the rest of the season, especially with the lack of compelling trade offers. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst echoed this sentiment, stating the Heat are prepared for Butler’s return, as the proposals they’ve received so far “stink.”
“The Heat are bracing for this to extend beyond the suspension,” Windhorst said. “The offers they’ve gotten aren’t worth it, so they’re ready for Butler to come back.”
Butler’s suspension is set to end on Jan. 17, just in time for a home game against the Denver Nuggets. Meanwhile, the Heat, currently 18-17, are managing without him, recently securing a significant road win over Green and the Warriors.
As the situation unfolds, all eyes are on Miami to see how they navigate the tension with their All-Star forward.