Miami Heat’s Jimmy Butler Bids Farewell To Max Strus And Gabe Vincent

Miami Heat superstar Jimmy Butler took to social media as the free agency period began, saying his goodbyes to guards Gabe Vincent and Max Strus.

"Peace out"

Jimmy Butler says his farewell to Max Strus & Gabe Vincent on his Instagram story ✌

(via jimmybutler/IG) pic.twitter.com/gN3iTQ1uh7
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) July 1, 2023

Vincent signed a three-year, $33 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers after only being offered $8.5 million/year by the Heat. Strus signed a four-year, $63 million deal sign-and-trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers in a three team trade with the San Antonio Spurs. Their transcendent seasons granted them lengthy deals elsewhere, shedding the labels of just being role players.

Caleb Martin took to Instagram as well, expressing sorrow in seeing his fellow undrafted teammates departing.

Caleb Martin’s IG story after the reported news of Gabe Vincent to the Lakers (with Max Strus who is likely gone). pic.twitter.com/6YyPXClSBf
— Austin (@Austin_Konenski) June 30, 2023

Strus and Vincent have only been in Miami since 2020 but it feels like the end of an era with the playoff runs they’ve been a part of. They were both essential in the Heat’s Finals run, with many claiming Vincent was the team’s third-best player. His growth was acknowledged by Butler as the postseason developed.

“I know the level of confidence that we have in him and that he has in himself to go out there and run the offense at any point in time,” Butler said after Vincent’s 23-point performance in Game 2 of the Finals. “We live with the decisions and the shots that he makes and takes. He's our starting point guard for a reason.”

Strus had a special relationship with Butler with their middle finger handshakes and sarcastic comedic bond. Hopefully, he can establish this type of bond with some new faces, and Miami can acquire players to replace their production.

Jayden Armant is a contributor to Inside the Heat. He is a student at Howard University. He can be reached at jaydenshome14@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @jaydenarmant.