The Heat were by no means a top contender in the East when Butler was traded, but without their star they struggled to win games. Miami's struggles were on full display in its first-round matchup with the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers.

Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra spoke with Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald on Wednesday, April 30, following the conclusion of the campaign and admitted that the Butler saga had long-standing effects on his team.