Miami Heat president Pat Riley addressed Jimmy Butler’s departure from the franchise.

© Michael Reaves/Getty ImagesJimmy Butler poses for a photo with Miami Heat president Pat Riley in 2019.

Jimmy Butler had long been the Miami Heat’s leading star, guiding them to two NBA Finals appearances in 2020 and 2023.

However, his final season with the team was defined more by off-court tension than on-court performance, ultimately leading to his move to the Golden State Warriors in February. Pat Riley reflected on the situation in a press conference.

“There’s no doubt what happened with Jimmy had a tremendous impact on our team,” Riley acknowledged during a Friday media session. “The buck stopped with me. I’ll take that hit. What happened in the regular season, I don’t want to discuss.”

His relationship with Butler deteriorated over the past year, particularly after failed contract extension talks. “I’m not going to apologize for saying no on the contract extension. I don’t think I should,” said the Heat president.

Still, Pat had high praise for the small forward. “I love the guy,” said the former championship-winning coach with Miami in 2006. “What happened with Jimmy, as ugly as it was, I don’t want anyone to think that I didn’t appreciate (everything else)… Those things happened. It wasn’t fun.”

Jimmy Butler made a significant impact for the Warriors this season.

Riley reveals details of the Butler trade to Golden State

Once the tension between Jimmy Butler and Miami Heat management became public, trade rumors dominated headlines for weeks. Several NBA teams were linked as possible destinations for the forward, until the deal with the Golden State Warriors was finalized near the trade deadline.

When asked about the negotiations, Riley didn’t hold back. “If you want dissertation on 13 (trades), we will be here a half hour. We were pretty much locked in with one team (Phoenix, according to the Miami Herald). It didn’t happen there,” said the Heat president.

On the trade that ultimately sent Butler to the Warriors, Pat expressed confidence: “We took the deal we felt was best for us now and in the future. We have young players.

We have medium age players in their prime. Our draft picks are in better order than what they were. We have a lot of flexibility. That’s where the blueprint will come this summer.”

Riley addresses critics on Heat Culture

In the same press conference, Pat Riley responded to recent comments from former NBA stars questioning the true value of the storied ‘Heat Culture’ that has defined the Florida franchise for decades.

“It’s a narrative put out by other people who don’t know what it’s like here. Our culture has been the culture since we’ve been here,” Riley said. “I’m proud of the culture and what we’ve created.

For people who don’t really know, but it’s fashionable to comment on it, to hell with them. Just because there were some issues this year that weren’t culture oriented, but were player oriented, I’ll never change my thoughts.”