While ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania is a top basketball journalist, he doesn't seem to be popular within the Miami Heat organization. Team owner Micky Arison got in on the action Wednesday night after Jimmy Butler's agent Bernard Lee ranted about Charania on X, formerly known as “Twitter.”
Arison re-tweeted the first shot that Lee fired.
“Alright listen. I gave you a pass yesterday because I was busy but if you don’t stop putting my name on your complete and utter made up bullsh*t because you know you normally arent worth my time to acknowledge…” Lee said.
Lee was responding to Charania's earlier report:
“The Phoenix Suns are another team that Jimmy Butler’s agent, Bernie Lee, has indicated in league circles that the six-time All-Star is open to as a destination while Miami listens to trade offers, sources tell ESPN, joining Dallas, Houston and Golden State,” Charania posted.
It makes sense for the Heat to shop Butler around, as he's in the last year of his contract before his player option next season. However, Lee claims that Charania's report is “fabricated.”
It seems unlikely that Heat will trade Jimmy Butler to Suns
Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) dribbles past Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) in the first quarter at the Chase Center.
Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
There is more reporting that contradicts Charania's claim, via PHNX Sports' Gerald Bouquet.
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“Per a source, the Suns aren't pursuing a Jimmy Butler trade,” Bouquet said. “Aside from the obvious difficulties with both the Suns and the Heat being tax apron teams that I already pointed out, Phoenix believes in their Big 3 and what they've seen from this group (11-2) when healthy”
*More to come*
a]:text-link [&_>a]:underline">Joshua Valdez started his journalism career as the Sports Editor for the Rutgers University newspaper before becoming an associate editor for ClutchPoints, covering the MLB, NFL, NBA, and soccer. He's also the beat reporter for the Washington Wizards and Mystics.