The Miami Heat’s Jimmy Butler has reportedly decided to not participate with Team USA in the upcoming Olympics in Tokyo.
Jimmy Butler has opted to bypass participation in Tokyo Olympics, Sun Sentinel has learned. Butler had been on list of initial players invited by USA Basketball. Decision required as next stage of pre-Olympic testing beginning.
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) June 16, 2021
Butler’s decision likely is because he wants to rest for the upcoming NBA season. The 31-year-old looked burned out towards the end of the regular season as well as during the Heat’s first-round series against the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks swept the Heat, 4-0.
On Tuesday, Butler was named to the All-NBA Third Team after averaging 21.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, 7.1 assists and a league-best 2.1 steals per game during the regular season.
He had previously represented Team USA during the 2016 Summer Olympics, winning a gold medal with the team.
The Heat will be hoping that Butler’s decision to skip these Olympics will lead to him showing up to training camp next season completely healthy as the Heat look to make it back to the NBA Finals.
