Many of those regular-season losses came after the Heat traded the disgruntled Butler to the Golden State Warriors on Feb. 6. Miami closed the regular season with a poor 12-21 following the move that brought Andrew Wiggins, Davion Mitchell, Kyle Anderson and the 2025 Warriors first-round pick (No. 20 overall) to the Heat.

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.

During an exit interview on Wednesday, Spoelstra remarked that the Heat "deserved" both criticism and embarrassment for their playoff exit -- a four-game sweep to the top-seeded Cavaliers that punctuated Miami's downturn in fortunes since it traded superstar Jimmy Butler to the Golden State Warriors on February 6.