The Chicago Bulls have gone through a ton of different roster iterations since the Michael Jordan years. This includes the Ben Gordon years, the Derrick Rose years, and, most recently, the Zach LaVine years. But nestled in between all of those were the years of Jimmy Butler leading the way in the red and black.
While in Chicago, Butler got the chance to play with NBA legend Dwyane Wade, who joined the Bulls for one season in 2016-17. They formed a friendship, and according to Butler, Wade’s convincing was the main factor that eventually persuaded him to sign on with the Miami Heat.
During a pre-NBA Finals interview, Butler spoke about Wade’s words via ClutchPoints. He noted that the long-time Heat legend spoke highly of Heat Culture and how Butler would fit in perfectly.
“I’m me & my style of leadership works here,” Butler said. “More than anything, I gotta give a shout out to Dwyane Wade. He always told me about the culture here & how it fits who I am & what I’m about. It really is a match made in heaven.”
“I'm me & my style of leadership works here. More than anything, I gotta give a shout out to Dwyane Wade. He always told me about the culture here & how it fits who I am & what I'm about. It really is a match made in heaven.”
Jimmy Butler on his leadership 💯
(via @TomerAzarly) pic.twitter.com/ELJYMwh2Vr
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) May 31, 2023
Butler was eventually traded by the Bulls, so Wade’s time in Chicago didn’t directly swindle Chicago, but it certainly changed the course of his career.
The Bulls traded Butler to the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2017, and he was then traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2018-19 season. But that following offseason, he signed with the Heat, and everything changed.
Since then, Butler has helped the Heat reach three Eastern Conference finals and two NBA Finals. And now, he has a chance to lead to them to their first championship in over a decade.
