Do you remember when Jimmy Butler was a member of the Miami Heat? It almost feels like an eternity ago. Last season featured one of the most interesting storylines in the NBA when Butler went back and forth with team president Pat Riley in requesting a trade mid-season — all while Butler was still an active member of the roster.
Having finally gotten his wish granted, Butler was traded to the Golden State Warriors, throwing everything he ever accomplished with the Heat out the window. Tonight, Butler and the Warriors will play against the Heat in what fans are expecting to be another highly anticipated matchup.
When reporters asked head coach Erik Spoelstra how he felt heading into the game, let’s just say he didn’t hold back in sharing his opinion on the situation.
“Idk, we’ll be open to whatever it ends up being, but we already have done the game. How many games do we have to play for it to not be the big storyline?”
Coach Spo on if tomorrow game vs Jimmy Butler will be emotional
— Heat Central (@HeatCulture13) November 18, 2025
“Idk, we’ll be open to whatever it ends up being, but we already have done the game. How many games do we have to play for it to not be the big storyline?”
(Via @MiamiHEAT) 🔥 pic.twitter.com/mWnqGWhSHt
Spoelstra is right. Miami did face the Warriors after the February 6th, 2025, trade deadline. On March 25th, 2025, Butler made his return to the Kaseya Center, where he was met with both cheers and boos from the fans. Butler would have his revenge game spoiled by Miami, scoring just 11 points on 5-of-12 shooting across 29 minutes.
There’s no real amount of time that can pass before a player who left his former team on a sour note becomes admired by his former fanbase. Houston Rockets’ Kevin Durant was still being booed by the city of Oklahoma City nearly a decade after he left them to join the Warriors in free agency. LeBron James continues to be cheered in both Cleveland and Miami, while the city of Chicago never once stopped applauding Derrick Rose.
As for what fans can expect tonight, it is simply a mystery within itself. Butler could be met with a rain of boos every time he touches the ball. He could also be met with cheers. In the end, Spoelstra is right. Both sides have allowed an elongated amount of time to pass, leaving the narrative of a rivalry that doesn’t appear to exist to continue solely for the pleasure of the fans.
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