For now, however, the Rockets are among the top teams with a young core, and the Mavericks remain a contender in the tightly competitive Western Conference. It’s also worth noting executives who’ve checked in on Butler got the impression that Miami wants to figure out their star’s future after the season,

Butler hurt his knee while converting a layup as he was fouled with 1:27 left in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 119-116 loss to the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena. Butler remained in the game to take and make the free throw, completing the three-point play to cut the Heat’s deficit to three.

But let’s also not be knee jerk from Monday’s absence, especially an injury that came with Jimmy Butler trying to desperately help the Heat try to salvage Sunday night’s game in Toronto. Look, this is a very real conversation to have at some point.