Jimmy Butler addresses contract, Riley comments, availability issue and where he stands

For months, Pat Riley’s public comments about Jimmy Butler went unanswered.

Butler didn’t say a word, not after Riley said he should have kept his mouth “shut” instead of trash-talking Boston after the Heat’s first-round playoff loss, not after Riley challenged Butler to miss fewer games, and not after the Heat president took a noncommittal stance about giving him a lucrative contract extension.

On Monday, Butler’s voice was finally heard. And the message was thoroughly professional and team-oriented, devoid of anything remotely prickly or controversial.

“I just want to play basketball and want to be available, like Pat was talking about,” he said after arriving a few hours late to media day because of mechanical problems involving a flight back from Paris. “I plan on being that… and making everybody happy… . I’m here. Normal hair. No shenanigans.”

Here’s how Butler addressed each of the percolating offseason issues:

▪ The contract situation: According to a source with direct knowledge, Butler entered the offseason seeking an extension, which would have turned the two years and $101.2 million remaining on his contract into a three-year deal worth $161.7 million.

But the Heat was noncommittal to do that, at least yet. According to multiple reports, Butler now intends to play out this season and bypass his $52.4 million player option next summer.

Asked if that’s the plan — to opt out next summer — Butler said: “I don’t know. I’m living for the right now and the moment. I’m glad to be here. We are going to hoop, we’re going to win and we will take it from there.”

Asked his thoughts about the Heat not giving him a contract extension, Butler said: “Guess I got to hoop, got to prove that I am a major part of winning and rightfully so. I’ve done it before and this is no different. This is going to be a great year for myself. This is going to be a great year for the group of guys we have. That will take care of itself whenever that time comes.”

Regarding a max extension, Riley said in May: “We don’t have to do it until 2025 actually. But we’ll see. He still has two years left on his contract, theoretically. He’s got a player option. But that’s something that we have to give some real thought to based on a lot of factors. ... That’s a big decision on our part to commit those kinds of resources unless you’re somebody who’s really going to be there, available every single night.”

Was there a part of Butler that considered asking for a trade when the Heat didn’t give him an extension?

“No; I’m good,” he said. “An extension is just a couple dollars. I’m cool, I’m telling you. I’ve made enough. I just want to play basketball and want to be available, like Pat was talking about. I plan on being that and plan on us winning a bunch of games and making everybody happy.”

How would a younger Butler have handled the situation? “It depends on what organization he was with,” he said, having previously forced his way out of Minnesota. “A young myself would admire and love to be here. He would go and do what he is supposed to do. I’m still the young version of myself even though I’m 35 years old.”

▪ The availability question:

Butler, who turned 35 on Sept. 14, missed 20 or more regular-season games for the third time in the past four seasons because of injuries and other reasons. He also was not available for the Heat’s five-game first-round playoff loss to Boston because of a sprained MCL in his right knee that he sustained during the NBA’s play-in tournament.

Butler has played in 52, 57, 64 and 60 games in the four full 82-game seasons with the Heat.

“That was discussed prior to last year,” Riley said in May when asked whether the Heat needs to put pressure on Butler to be available for more regular-season games. “We had a discussion with his agent about that. That was discussed thoroughly.”

Butler said Monday that he understands Riley’s point.

“I always want to hoop, always want to compete with my guys,” he said. “I hear him. I see what he’s talking about. I’m going to play as many games as I can.”

▪ Riley’s “keep your mouth shut” comment:

Riley famously said that in response to Butler’s comments after the Celtics ousted the Heat from the playoffs.

To refresh, Butler said: “If I was playing, Boston would be at home, New York damn sure would ... be at home.”

Riley’s response in May: “I thought, is that Jimmy trolling or is that Jimmy serious? If you’re not on the court playing against Boston or on the court playing against the New York Knicks, you should keep your mouth shut in your criticism of those teams.”

On Monday, Butler indicated that remark didn’t bother him.

“Not too many things bother me nowadays,” he said of Riley’s comment. “I’m happy. I’m healthy. I’ve got a beautiful family. And I get to hoop. Not too much in the media is ever going to get to me.”

Erik Spoelstra said Monday that he and Butler “were in contact” this summer, adding: “He’s at a point where he needs me…to coach him and push him to higher levels. And I need him to be at his highest level as a player and a leader.”

Informed of that comment, Butler said: “As you said, he needs me. But I’m probably going to need him more than he needs me…. He’s teaching me how to be a better basketball player, a better leader, a better human being overall. At every level he’s won. I still want to reach that point where I can say I won” a championship.

Butler was in Paris this past weekend to attend an event for a company he endorses, and flight issues pushed back his Miami arrival from Monday morning to Monday afternoon.

“A lot has transpired in the past 48 hours,” he said. “I’m glad I have this [Heat] jersey on and made it here.”

The Heat needs an aggressive Butler all season. In the 60 games that Butler played last season, Miami was 11-15 when he scored in single digits in the first half. Conversely, the Heat was 22-12 when he scored 10 or more in the first half.

Butler averaged 20.8 points per game last season and was one of eight players to average 20 points and shoot at least 40 percent on three-pointers and 85 percent on free throws.

But he failed to reach the 20-point mark in eight of his final 12 games. Per Second Spectrum, Butler shot 44 percent on drives last season, seventh worst in the NBA among players with at least 250 field-goal attempts, and down from 52 percent the previous year.

How much has the playoff loss to Boston fueled him?

“A lot,” he said. “I know what the city deserves, what the city wants and that’s a championship. We are fueled enough to go and get that trophy at the end.”

Regarding several teams improving — including the Knicks and 76ers — Butler said: “Good for those teams, gearing up for another season just like us. We got better as well. Whenever we come across those dates on the calendar, we will see how we match up.”

He enters his sixth season with the Heat seemingly at peace. Asked what about his career he’s most proud of, he said: “My beautiful children. Basketball is one thing, but being a father is much more beautiful, much more great.”