"I think we have enough respect for each other that we texted each other once the deal went through just to wish each other the best on it," Spoelstra said. "And we also have that respect that you want each other to learn about the respective players without any kind of influence."

Though Butler's time in Miami didn't end on a great note with the franchise suspending him multiple times and Butler saying he no longer felt "joy" playing basketball with the Heat, head coach Erik Spoelstra expressed gratitude toward Butler in his first at-length comments on the trade since Butler left.

After the Miami Heat trade that sent Jimmy Butler to the Golden State Warriors was made official Thursday, head coach Erik Spoelstra spoke for the first time regarding the news. As there had been some drama with the Heat and Butler that involved Spoelstra, he had nothing but good things to say regarding his former player.