Miami Heat: 3 bold predictions for 2019-20 NBA season

1. Jimmy Butler finishes top-five in MVP voting

This subject was raised recently on the Five on the Floor Podcast, hosted by Ethan Skolnick and Alphonse Sydney of the Five Reasons Sports Network.

Thus far, Butler’s highest finish in MVP voting was 10th in the 2017-18 season, being his sole full season as a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves. That year, Butler averaged 22.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.9 assists as the Timberwolves jumped from 31 to 47 wins to secure the eighth seed and a trip to the postseason.

Butler’s overall value that season was just as noticeable when he was sidelined as when he was on the court. In his 59 games, the Timberwolves posted a 37-22 record, and just a 10-13 record when he was watching from the bench. Put simply, the Wolves were a three-seed when Butler went down and wound up only making the playoffs on the final day of the regular season due to his absence.

Butler’s past season can’t be measured along the same lines, considering the controversy surrounding his departure from Minnesota, and then the lesser role he assumed as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers.

Now on his fourth team in four seasons, Butler is finally in a place he truly wants to call home. After playing behind Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, and at times Tobias Harris last season, Butler is now the undisputed No. 1 player on his team. A four-time All-Star, the soon-to-be 30-year-old demonstrated this past postseason what he’s truly capable of producing.

Averaging 35.1 minutes per game in 12 playoff games, Butler was second on the Sixers only to Embiid in offensive rating, defensive rating and net rating. Furthermore, Butler’s 14 total points scored in clutch time led the team, despite missing one such period due to an ejection.

Butler led the league with an 11.9 net rating in the playoffs among the 15 players who played at least 12 games while averaging at least 35 minutes per game.

Now the question is, assuming he transitions into his role with the Heat, how high he can finish in MVP voting? In recent seasons, there have certainly been players who have bolted up the ranks as it relates to MVP consideration. Isaiah Thomas finishing fifth in 2017 is one of the more notable instances, while Butler’s former teammate Joakim Noah’s fourth-place finish in 2014 was another surprise.

With the Heat coming off a 39-win season, the chance for Butler to lead the Heat up the standings and realistically get close to a 50-win season is one big reason why his MVP campaign should not be underestimated.