Wade: Heat-Butler feud 'tragic way to end a relationship'

Miami Heat icon Dwyane Wade isn't enjoying the public spat between star forward Jimmy Butler and the organization.

"It should not end tragically," Wade lamented earlier this week on his podcast, "The Why with Dwyane Wade."

"This is a tragic way to end a relationship. So, as a former player, it's ugly on our franchise, it's a stain on our franchise that we continue to have the way that the relationships break up. But also, too, on the other side, you don't run that organization as a player. So you get to that space sometimes where you want to do things your way. It's Pat Riley's way."

"There's going to be a breakup at some point," Wade added.

The Hall of Famer refused to speculate how or when the breakup would happen as he is a part owner of the Utah Jazz.

Butler is set to return from his seven-game unpaid suspension for "multiple instances" of conduct detrimental to the team when the Heat face the Denver Nuggets on Friday.

The six-time All-Star has reportedly reiterated his desire to be moved and that he won't sign a new contract with the club. Butler intends to use his $52-million player option for next season as a trade maneuver.

Butler is in the midst of his worst statistical season since joining the Heat in the 2019 offseason, averaging 17.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.7 assists in 22 games.

Miami has reportedly been in contact with multiple teams regarding a potential trade, but nothing concrete has materialized.

The Heat went 3-4 in the seven games without Butler and sit ninth in the Eastern Conference.