Miami Heat great Grant Long can see both sides of the Pat Riley and Jimmy Butler debate. He thinks the situation is occurring because the NBA is becoming more of a players league. He feels the athletes have more control nowadays.

Pelton’s three-team trade proposal would send Butler and Alec Burks to the Kings, DeRozan, Hardaway Jr., and a Top 4 protected 2028 first-round pick to the Heat, and Huerter, Trey Lyles, and a 2029 first-round pick-swap to the Pistons. The 20-20 Kings were thrilled when DeRozan signed a three-year deal with the franchise during free agency.

If the ultimate goal for Jimmy Butler was to get into a new uniform, then the Miami Heat already have that covered, with the team announcing Thursday that they have resurrected their Vice uniforms