ASK IRA: Did Pat Riley just harpoon Jimmy Butler’s desire for a Heat extension?

Did Pat Riley send a clear and present message to Jimmy Butler regarding the timing of a potential Miami Heat extension?

Q: Ira, I guess Pat Riley still is carrying around that harpoon of his. It looks like he shot it right through the idea of a Jimmy Butler extension. – Alex.

A: And in no way do I believe the theater is over. Does Jimmy Butler get his extension as desired at 12:01 a.m. on July 7? I highly doubt it, based on Pat Riley’s rhetoric on Monday. Instead, this well could become a fascinating offseason case study of passive aggression, with Jimmy traveling the world amid a trail of breadcrumbs of potential discontent. Pat Riley made his stand where he feels most comfortable, from the podium, with cameras rolling. Jimmy’s counter assuredly will come on his social media of choice, likely along with a variety of the type of emojis that we know Pat so enjoys. In their own ways, Pat and Jimmy both are masters of such theater. Turns out, the competition truly never ends with the Heat.

Q: Jimmy Butler had quite a few DNPs for personal reasons this year. – Joe.

A: Which I truly believe that if Jimmy Butler had made such reasons public, it would have clarified much about his missed time. But it is within his right and the team’s right to keep such matters private. For example, once it was clarified after the fact that Delon Wright missed a playoff game against the Celtics for the birth of his daughter, there was no pushback about the absence, instead just well wishes.

Q: Pat Riley was good on Monday, honest and refreshing. – Sandy.

A: Which is all you can ask of any team executive and leader, is to be willing to be forthcoming. In fact, if there is a failing of the Heat in such regards, it is Pat Riley not making himself more available. All fans want is answers. Pat offered plenty of them during his media session, There is no better way to quell speculation.