MIAMI _ Apparently the speculation linking Jimmy Butler to the Miami Heat won't go away. Nor, for that matter, might Dwyane Wade.
In a spin provided through social media, Wade, who retired in April after a 16-season NBA career, seemingly left open the possibility of returning to the Heat if the team lands Jimmy Butler in NBA free agency.
When it was suggested to him on Twitter that he should emerge from retirement to join former Heat championship teammate LeBron James with the Lakers, Wade put a kibosh on that notion ... while adding one of his own.
In his response, Wade posted, "Nah bro. Let's kill that rumor now. It would only be for the HEAT! @JimmyButler what's good."
That was followed by three emojis for "face with tears of joy."
Not to be left on the sidelines, Butler, who had not posted on Twitter over the previous three days, responded with, "hey big head."
Wade and Butler both played at Marquette, with Wade joining Butler on the Chicago Bulls for the 2016-17 season, after contentious free-agency negotiations with the Heat that led to 1 { seasons away from the franchise he helped lead to three NBA championships.
Wade, who returned to the Heat midway through the 2017-18 season, very formally retired after this past season, with an emotional final game at AmericanAirlines Arena, followed by a triple-double in the Heat's season finale against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center.
Wade, 37, consistently had pushed aside speculation of an NBA return _ until he took to Twitter with his Butler post on Friday night.
Butler is an impending free agent, after joining the Philadelphia 76ers last season following a trade from the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Heat had attempted to trade for Butler prior to that 76ers-Wolves deal, but Heat president Pat Riley broke off negotiations after they lingered into the season.
The Heat's lone means at the moment of acquiring Butler would be a sign-and-trade transaction with the 76ers, which then would leave the Heat, for the first time, playing under a hard cap.
Such a move by Butler would mean a significant reduction in contract from what he could otherwise receive with a return to Philadelphia.
Most of the speculation regarding a potential Butler relocation has centered on the Houston Rockets, with Butler born and raised in the Houston area.
However, an NBA associate of Butler repeatedly has stressed that Butler long has targeted the Heat, dating to his time in Minnesota.
