Since Jimmy Butler joined the Miami Heat in 2019, the team has been one of the league’s title contenders. Although it hasn’t yet led to a title, the Heat have played and won the second-most playoff games since 2020, which is no small accomplishment. However, it appears like the Heat’s window for a title with their present core may have already closed in the early going of the 2024–25 campaign.

In a guest interview on SiriusXM NBA Radio, Bill Simmons of The Ringer expressed his opinion that the Heat have lagged behind other teams as they have improved.

“The Heat’s championship window is over.” That is just another instance of the league improving and leaving a few teams behind. They essentially had that same team three or four years ago. If you ask me, which is more likely to happen—Miami making it to Round 2 or Jimmy Butler joining another team in February? It’s Jimmy Butler by far. “By far,” Simmons stated.

In fact, Butler, Bam Adebayo, and Tyler Herro—the Heat’s core trio—have been with the team since the 2019–20 campaign. In addition, Duncan Robinson remains with the organization despite being linked to numerous trade speculations throughout the years. The Heat need a piece or two to increase their chances of making another deep playoff run, even though this core is sufficient to keep them semi-competitive. Additionally, they currently lack the assets necessary to make big transactions.

Butler, who has been outstanding for the Heat, particularly in the two years that they have advanced to the NBA Finals (2020 and 2023), is also growing older. This past September was his 35th birthday, and there have been several indications that he is currently declining. The Heat might also lack the depth to tolerate a prolonged absence from him during the regular season, which his history suggests is very likely.

As long as Erik Spoelstra is leading the Heat, it’s hard to write them off. However, the Heat will need to retool soon enough, and trading Butler, who is in the last year of his contract, would be one method to do it.

Is it time for the Heat to make a change?

Given the declining lifespan of the Jimmy Butler-led Heat team, the 2023 offseason might turn out to be crucial. Damian Lillard was available on the trade market for the Heat after they advanced to the NBA Finals, but they ultimately lost out when the Milwaukee Bucks outbid them.

The Heat might not have enough firepower now to duplicate their 2020 and 2023 performances. More than any prior season, their depth is also a little questionable. The Heat are running out of time, so they may need to decide if it would be better to move Butler in order to fill their empty asset cupboard and develop around Bam Adebayo.