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[Saba Sports News] Jimmy Butler’s agent, Bernie Lee, has sharply criticized ESPN’s Shams Charania for what he described as a “fabricated” report about the Miami Heat star.
Charania recently reported that the Heat were entertaining trade offers for Butler, naming three teams the All-Star was supposedly interested in joining.
On Tuesday, Charania added the Phoenix Suns to the list of Butler’s alleged preferred destinations and claimed that Lee had informed “league circles” of his client’s interest.
Lee wasted no time firing back. He took to social media to deny the report and accused Charania of making it up entirely. Lee dismissed the idea that he would spread such information, calling Charania’s claims baseless (with profanity edited for clarity).
“Alright listen,” Lee wrote. “I gave you a pass yesterday because I was busy, but if you don’t stop putting my name on your complete and utter made-up bull—t… I don’t know what I’m going to do because I’m a middle-aged dad, but just know it would indicate severe dislike. World… all this is fabricated. I have never, and honestly it wouldn’t help me or the position I represent, to do anything that’s been reported by said ‘journalist.’”
Miami Heat owner Micky Arison also reposted Lee’s statement, seemingly backing the agent’s denial.
While Charania is not the only reporter to link Butler to trade rumors, the direct involvement of Lee—and the subsequent backlash—has raised questions about the accuracy of the report.
This isn’t the first time Butler’s agent has challenged Charania’s reporting, adding another layer of tension between the two.