Jimmy Butler parts ways with Jordan, searches for new sneaker deal
Jimmy Butler is officially a free agent.
According to ESPN’s Nick Depaula, Butler and the Jordan Brand have “mutually agreed to part ways,” effectively making the Miami Heat forward the league’s most coveted sneaker free agent. The four-time All-Star is expected to begin discussions with other brands soon, Depaula also reported.
Butler’s early departure from Jordan brings their six-year partnership to an end just 10 months short of its Sep. 30 end date.
A late round pick in the 2011 Draft, Butler followed Chicago Bulls teammate Derrick Rose’s path and signed his rookie shoe deal with Adidas. He’d then take 75-percent pay cut three seasons later to join Jordan. That move proved beneficial — he’d win the NBA’s Most Improved Player award and received his first All-Star selection during the 2014-15 season.
While it’s unclear where Butler will land, the four-time all-defensive wing will certainly have options. Numerous brands are reported to be interested in signing him to a multiyear contract.
Butler could possibly opt for established names like Nike or Adidas or even emerging ones like Puma and New Balance. The latter two have recently signed All-Stars and highly-touted players in an effort to reestablish themselves in the basketball sneaker market.
One company that could possible have a leg up in courting Butler would be Dwyane Wade’s Li-Ning sub-brand Way of Wade. The two Marquette products are very close as evinced by the three-time champion helping to recruit Butler to the Heat.
“He would always say, ‘It would be a place for you. The type of guy you are, the mentality you have, the Heat culture, it just fits,’” Butler said of Wade in July. “We laugh about it now, but looking back it’s like: Damn, he kind of called how it could happen and how this would be a place that just fits me to a T. I’m fortunate for him putting that in my mind back then, helping me through this free agency process.”
Having recently signed Golden State Warriors guard D’Angelo Russell, Way of Wade could possibly be in the market another elite talent to bolster their roster.
It’s apparent that Butler’s early success with the Heat has made landing him a top priority for numerous sneaker companies. Through 30 games, he has led Miami to the third-best record in the Eastern Conference while averaging 20.8 points plus career highs in rebounds (6.6) and assists (6.6).
