Many of those regular-season losses came after the Heat traded the disgruntled Butler to the Golden State Warriors on Feb. 6. Miami closed the regular season with a poor 12-21 following the move that brought Andrew Wiggins, Davion Mitchell, Kyle Anderson and the 2025 Warriors first-round pick (No. 20 overall) to the Heat.

The Heat were by no means a top contender in the East when Butler was traded, but without their star they struggled to win games. Miami's struggles were on full display in its first-round matchup with the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers.

The elephant in the room is playing on elsewhere. But Wednesday, without games to instead consider, created the first true opportunity for the Miami Heat to openly address the impact of the