Pat Riley said Miami’s business with Jimmy Butler was finished and rejected any suggestion that he owed the former Heat star an apology.
Butler was suspended three times during a turbulent season before Miami traded him to Golden State in February 2025.
Riley stands by contract decision
The dispute intensified after Miami declined to offer Butler the extension he wanted.
Riley said he would not apologise for that decision and believed Butler should have returned to training camp without publicly challenging the club.
Their relationship had deteriorated after Butler claimed Miami would have beaten Boston or New York in the 2024 playoffs had he been healthy.
Heat season ends with a sweep
Miami finished 37-45 and reached the playoffs from 10th through the play-in tournament.
Cleveland then swept the Heat in the first round, winning the final two games by 37 and 55 points.
Riley accepted responsibility for the season and acknowledged that the Butler dispute had affected the entire team.
Miami plans another roster change
The Heat president said the club would not simply bring back the same group. He expected trades and a meaningful roster reshaping during the summer.
Riley had rebuilt Miami repeatedly during his three decades with the franchise and made clear he did not want another long process.
Owner Micky Arison and chief executive Nick Arison backed the 80-year-old to continue. Riley’s next task was to move Miami forward after its partnership with Butler ended badly.
