How Pat Riley's one statement led to Jimmy Butler's trade demand

For months, many reports have suggested Jimmy Butler's unhappiness with the Miami Heat. While the organization tried to nip them in the bud, they failed.

Following the Heat's recent loss at the hands of the Indiana Pacers, Butler finally addressed his situation with the organization during the postgame conference.

The 35-year-old didn't mince his words as he explained that he will "probably not" return to Miami this season. He went as far as saying that he will play on any NBA team, but the Heat right now.

But what went wrong between Butler and Heat? After all, Jimmy has played the best basketball of his career in South Beach.

Well, according to ESPN senior insider Shams Charania, Heat president Pat Riley's one statement in the summer led to Butler contemplating his future in Miami.

"'If you're not on the court playing, you should keep your mouth shut,' Riley said in response at his end-of-season media session. Riley and Butler's relationship has yet to recover, sources said," Charania wrote via ESPN.

Riley has played an instrumental role in the Heat's success over the decade and he has always been known for using tough love to get the best out of his players.

Someone with Butler's mentality instantly clicked with Riley, but due to the Heat's hesitation in renewing his contract has fractured that bond.

After all, Butler is in the final year of his contract and even if the Heat refuse to trade him right now, the 6x NBA All-Star can just wait for his deal to expire. Sure, he will be slammed by fines by the organization, but it feels that Butler is ready to take that risk.