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While Jimmy Butler is 7-1 since joining the Golden State Warriors and reviving what appeared to be a lost season, he appears to have left a path of destruction in his wake in Miami, literally. Butler, who has an extensive history of wearing out his welcome with NBA teams, did just that with the Heat before forcing his way out of the organization.
Butler’s behavior led former Miami star Tim Hardaway to label him a “crybaby” and any positive relationship he may have had with team president Pat Riley is now out the window. But it turns out Butler’s problems in Miami run much deeper than that.
Miami news station WPLG Local 10 reports that Butler is facing a lawsuit that alleges both unpaid rent and property damage to the house the star forward was living in while playing for the Heat.
Jimmy Butler Allegedly Left Miami With Significant Property Damage To Rental House
Five Star Marketing and Promotions, which owns the property, alleges that Butler stayed in the home until October of 2024, two months after his lease expired. The company also states that Butler left the property in “disrepair” and that he had agreed to pay double the monthly rent, which amounted to $130,000, should he stay past the duration of the lease. But allegedly failed to make good on those payments.
“Court documents also allege Butler caused $125,000 in damages, including mold issues, damaged drywall and flooring, an unmaintained pool, and a malfunctioning HVAC system,” Local 10 reported.
The news station reached out to Butler’s legal team for comment but had not yet received any response at the time of reporting.
Meanwhile, Butler seems to be loving life in Atlanta where he, Draymond Green and Stephen Curry have become fast friends.
“I would like to say that I am a winner,” Butler said shortly after being traded. “I haven’t won ‘it’ but I would like to call myself a winner. I do want to win ‘it’ — it being a championship.”
He may well win a championship with Golden State. But he has some other obstacles on his plate before he gets that far.