It’s funny how things can change in just a few months.
Last June, Jimmy Butler was a player who many felt had the Miami Heat on course for a championship. Now, some are saying Butler will never lead the Heat to a title.
On Tuesday, ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins said Butler and the Heat should part ways because they will never win in June.
“The Heat has lost seven in a row,” Perkins said on the Zack Lowe podcast Miami Hea. “I think it’s time for the Miami Heat and Jimmy Butler to part ways. I think thet need to do right by Jimmy Butler and send him to a legit title contender. I would love to see him with the [Philadelphia] 76ers.”
Perkins feels the Heat should switch gears by building around young budding stars like Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo, Terry Rozier and Jaime Jaquez. While Butler is aging, many have forget him leading the Heat to the NBA Finals despite an injured Herro.
“It’s time for the Heat to start they rebuild of their culture with the young guys and it’s not a bad thing,” Perkins said. “I just don’t know how much Jimmy got left of Playoff Jimmy. He’s 34, a lot of miles, a lot of minutes, a lot of wear and tear on his body. I just don’t see the Miami Heat this season being a legit title contender.”
nShandel Richardso covers the Miami Heat for Inside The Heat, a Fan Nation channel for Sports Illustrated. He has covered the NBA since 2010.
