In a repeat of last season’s Eastern Conference Finals, the Boston Celtics efficiently dispatched the Miami Heat in five games, marking a swift end to their rivalry clash. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, reflecting on their advancement to the second round, emphasized the Celtics’ growth, contrasting with Jimmy Butler’s viewpoint. Butler, absent from the series due to an MCL sprain, expressed belief that if he had played, the outcome would have favored the Heat, a sentiment he shared in an interview with Rock The Bells.
While the Celtics now prepare to face the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals starting next Tuesday at TD Garden, Butler faces an uncertain future with the Heat. Notable South Florida sports commentator Dan Le Batard, formerly associated with ESPN and the Miami Herald, suggested that the Heat’s championship window with Butler as their cornerstone player may be closing, stating on the Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz that “The Celtics just ended the Heat as we know them.”
Such speculation gains traction as Butler, a five-time All-NBA selection, approaches the final year of his contract, alongside a hefty $52.4 million player option for the 2025-26 season. he AthReports suggest Butler is seeking a $113 million extension, as noted by Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald. However, David Aldridge of Tletic suggests that the resolution to Butler’s future may involve parting ways with the Heat, with Aldridge even suggesting a reunion with the Philadelphia 76ers, where Butler could potentially team up with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
