LeBron James' ex-teammate makes his feelings clear on Pat Riley "forcing" Jimmy Butler to play for Miami Heat amid fallout

Jimmy Butler has made it no secret that he wants to be traded from the Miami Heat. Butler has gone public with his trade request in hopes of landing in a new destination. However, Heat President of Basketball Operations Pat Riley, referred to as "The Godfather" in the basketball community, has no plans to trade Butler just yet.

The back and forth between Butler and Riley has apparently caused tension within the organization as well as the locker room. The Heat are in a bizarre situation, with their star player, who has led them to multiple NBA Finals appearances, wanting out.

The whole Butler saga has caused Kendrick Perkins, a former teammate of Heat legend LeBron James and current ESPN analyst, to give his thoughts on the situation.

"Pat Riley forcing Jimmy Butler to be a Heat is doing nothing but messing with the chemistry in the locker room!!! Just trade the man. My god," Perkins posted to X.

Perkins makes a valid point. Playing with someone who has publicly stated they would rather play anywhere else except Miami must be an awkward situation, and one Riley doesn't seem too keen on solving just for the sake of doing so.

Jimmy Butler returns from 7-game suspension with a tribute to Michael Jordan: "I'm Back"

Jimmy Butler returns to the Miami Heat lineup tonight after serving a seven-game suspension for "conduct detrimental to the team." The conduct in question is related to Butler's public request for a trade to a team other than the Heat.

Butler shared a release similar to Michael Jordan when he returned from his first retirement.

"I'm Back." Butler's agent shared publicly.

Butler is scheduled to suit up for the first time in two weeks, as his last game came on January 2, 2025, against the Indiana Pacers. Butler finished with 9 points, 2 rebounds, and 4 assists, in a 128-115 Pacers win.

Butler and the Heat are scheduled to face the Denver Nuggets and reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic. The Heat were 3-4 in the seven games without Butler. They currently sit in a Play-In position at eighth in the Eastern Conference, the same place they finished when they made the NBA Finals two years ago.

The Heat will need Butler to buy in and stay committed if they want a chance to repeat that feat this year.