Jimmy Butler Reacts to Kevin Love’s Post Hinting at New Development in Heat Saga

Just a few days ago, Jimmy Butler’s days with the Miami Heat seemed numbered following his public trade request. However, a message from Heat teammate Kevin Love on Thursday afternoon could indicate things have changed.

Love, Butler’s teammate for more than two seasons in Miami, posted a famous clip from the 2013 film Wolf of Wall Street on Instagram, depicting Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio) telling his office that he’s “not going to leave.”

Love used the caption “Live look at Jimmy after his meeting with Micky”, inferring that Butler recently met with Heat owner Micky Arison and it seemed to go well.

Butler, appearing to approve of the post, pressed “Like” on the video on Instagram.

Butler publicly announced his dissatisfaction with the Heat after a 128–115 loss to the Indiana Pacers on January 2, stating that he did not play with “joy” in Miami. He has not played since that night, as the Heat handed Butler a seven-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team.

The Heat went 3-4 without Butler, and now he is eligible to return Friday night in Miami’s game against the Denver Nuggets at the Kaseya Center.

TNT’s Chris Haynes reported Tuesday that Butler could return to the court for Miami if he isn’t dealt by Friday night. And based on Love’s post, if one is to take it seriously, that seems to be the case.

In 22 games this season, Butler is averaging 17.6 points and 5.5 rebounds in 30.8 minutes per game. The Heat enter Friday night’s game with a 20-19 record, good for ninth place in the Eastern Conference.

Butler, who makes $48.8 million this year, has a $52.4 million player option for the 2025-26 season but is expected to opt out of his contract that year in search of a contract lucrative multi-year plan.