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Six-time NBA All-Star Blake Griffin gave his thoughts on Jimmy Butler’s desire to be traded from the Miami Heat.
“I wouldn’t do it that way so I can’t say that I f–k with it, but I do think it’s hilarious,” Griffin said on the 7PM in Brooklyn podcast, a Wave Sports + Entertainment Original (1:08:11 mark). “It’s entertaining. I just think because now it has happened multiple times, right? If this is the first time he wants out of Miami, cool. I get it. No problem with that but remember Minnesota. Philly, remember Philly? Yeah. Now in Chicago. You only have a certain amount of times you can do that, right? It’s entertaining but I think if it was the NBA, he probably would’ve had to play it a different way.”
ESPN’s Shams Charania and Brian Windhorst revealed on Jan. 2 that Butler indicated to Miami that he wanted to be dealt prior to the Feb. 6 deadline. The report came just after the star forward told reporters that he lost his “joy” with the team on the court and “probably” wouldn’t be able to get it back.
The Heat later announced a seven-game suspension for Butler due to “multiple instances of conduct detrimental to the team.”
The six-time All-Star has been known for eventful exits from the previous organizations he’s played for, including a practice session with the Minnesota Timberwolves in which he verbally challenged his teammates and coaching staff while awaiting resolution for a trade request.
Butler was eventually moved from the Timberwolves to the Philadelphia 76ers in Nov. 2018, but he joined the Heat during the ensuring offseason despite Philadelphia reportedly offering him a five-year, $190 million maximum contract.
Griffin last played for the Boston Celtics during the 2022-23 season before he officially retired in April 2024.
While he may not be on the court anymore, the 35-year-old is enjoying watching Butler’s latest trade saga from afar.