After losing the playoff series to the Boston Celtics 1-4, the Miami Heat have become the latest team to be eliminated. A major factor in this was the continuing dominance of the Cs, who had established the best win record during the regular season. However, another factor in their favor was the continuous absence of Jimmy Butler, who was sidelined because of an injury. Because of this, Kendrick Perkins questioned whether it’s worth the effort to even retain the star within the main lineup.

A few minutes ago, the 2008 NBA champion and ESPN analyst took to his official X account. Highlighting the Heat’s recent loss, he applauded the Celtics for managing “their business as expected”. However, he also wrote, “The REAL question is what’s next for the Heat? Add someone? Move on from Jimmy? I’m just saying…”. The 34-year-old point guard had been absent from the main lineup since mid-April. What has happened to him?

This was the result of an MCL sprain that he developed after an unexpected collision with 76ers shooting guard Kelly Oubre Jr. While he went on to claim after the incident that “I hope that I’m fine”, the franchise did not want to take any risk with this ailment and proceeded to put their star player on the bench. During Game 3 of the playoffs held four days ago, as the player was asked about his return, he continued to claim “No Timeline” on the same.

Butler’s absence during the playoffs was quite noticeable, as the Heat did not even cross the 100-point threshold during their four losses. While Center Bam Adebayo and shooting guard Tyler Herro attempted to keep things running, it just wasn’t the same without the X factor behind the team’s success, who had averaged 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5 assists during the regular season and had helped the Heat a 33-27 win record.

Kendrick Perkins got himself ‘slapped’ for earlier stating that Jimmy Butler should be traded away

Kendrick Perkins is someone whose opinion about Jimmy Butler keeps fluctuating with the changing times. His recent suggestion to trade the player away is not his first one, as he had earlier echoed the same in January when the Heat were struggling. Once the team found its footing, the analyst was convinced enough to eat his own words.

During a segment of ‘NBA on ESPN’ back in March, Perkins surprised everyone by asking 2016 NBA champion and co-host Richard Jefferson to ‘slap’ him across the head. Claiming that he “deserved” it, the 39-year-old went off on how he was wrong to suggest that Butler should join another franchise. “When the time is right, they (Heat) always step up to the plate and now they are playing playoff-type basketball,” said Perkins.

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“Yes, Jimmy is out there doing what he does best. Right now, this team is playing agenda-free, guys are playing within the team”, Perkins continued. However, Butler’s absence proved to be detrimental for Pat Riley and Co. and they couldn’t live up to the expectations.

With the player having already signed a contract extension for the next two seasons, and him being a valuable part of the franchise, a trade may not be in the books. However, anything can happen in the postseason.