[brid autoplay=”true” video=”816273″ player=”23231″ title=”Top%20NBA%20free%20agents%20of%202021″ duration=”53″ description=”Unlike last offseason, we’re going to see a ton of top end NBA free agents in 2021. Players like future Hall of Famers Kawhi Leonard and Chris Paul will likely opt out of their contracts and hit the open market.Meanwhile, there’s a large amount of talented youngsters set to become restricted free agents. That list includes Atlanta Hawks big man John Collins and Lonzo Ball of the New Orleans Pelicans.” uploaddate=”2021-06-29″ thumbnailurl=”//cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/17660/thumb/816273_t_1624987441.png” contentUrl=”//cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/17660/sd/816273.mp4″]
Jimmy Butler has a new running partner with the Miami Heat in that of six-time All-Star Kyle Lowry. He’s now also about $184 million richer in his checking account.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Butler is expected to sign a four-year contract extension that will pay him an average of $46 million per season.
Talk about the Heat backing up that Brinks Truck for Jimmy Buckets.
This isn’t to say that the 31-year-old Butler is not worth it. Despite dealing with injury and COVID-19 issues last season, Jimmy Butler was still able to average 21.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, 7.1 assists and a league-best 2.1 steals per game. He also shot a stellar 50% from the field while earning All-NBA Defensive Team honors.
Now that Butler is locked up and with Lowry ready to join him in South Beach, Miami has built up the best defensive backcourt in the NBA. Add in the low-post presence of Bam Adebayo, and that’s magnified further.
Meanwhile, Miami is also expected to re-sign restricted free agent Duncan Robinson. This gives the 2020 Eastern Conference champions a tremendous core four after a disappointing 2020-21 campaign.