


Jimmy Butler seems to have found closure after a crushing 2023 NBA Finals loss.
In a video shared to his Instagram Wednesday morning, he praised his teammates and his team’s grit during the Heat’s unlikely run.
“Hella proud of our guys this year,” he said in the video, where he’s sitting on a beach in Rio de Janeiro as soft jazz plays. “As we always try to achieve our goals, I think it’s very important not to lose sight of the journey and all the great times we’ve had together as a unit this year.”
He also included a few reflective quotes about the importance of the journey and a photo collage with pictures of himself and his Miami teammates throughout the season.
Butler led the Heat to the Finals — their second appearance in the four years he’s been in Miami — where they lost to the Denver Nuggets 4-1.
He averaged 26.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists throughout the playoff run, a personal performance that was punctuated by an unreal 56-point onslaught against the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 4 of the first round.

Miami reached the Finals by defeating the Bucks, Knicks, and Celtics, riding stellar showings from stars Butler and Bam Adebayo as well as frequent contributions from its undrafted quartet of Caleb Martin, Gabe Vincent, Duncan Robinson and Max Strus.
Butler’s message comes at a time when the Heat are at the center of trade rumors across the basketball landscape.
The Heat were reportedly interested in Bradley Beal before his trade to the Suns, hold a strong interest in trading for Portland’s Damian Lillard and may be fielding an offer from the Trail Blazers for their own All-Star, Adebayo.

Butler ended his message on Instagram with a hint that made it seem like he’s not satisfied with all the success the Heat have reached just yet.
“Love my guys, wouldn’t want to be in that position with anybody else,” he said. “Appreciate y’all, and here’s to a couple more.”