Jimmy Butler III, the six-time NBA All-Star, moved to the Golden State Warriors following a blockbuster deal on Feb. 6. The star small forward debuted two days later for the Warriors, wearing Butler III on his jersey to honor his late father. Off to a fresh start, Butler managed to put up 25 points in a 132–111 win over the Chicago Bulls.
All in all, Butler’s time with the Warriors is going well. In the eight games he’s played so far, he’s averaging 16.4 points. However, trouble seems to have followed him from Miami, as Butler is now facing a lawsuit over unpaid rent and property damage.
Fresh Troubles for Jimmy Butler III
Butler’s exit from Miami was quick; however, he still has some issues to take care of there. The 35-year-old has been accused of unpaid rent and alleged property damage at a luxury Miami Beach home he leased during his time with the Heat. A lawsuit, filed by Five Star Marketing and Promotions, Inc., claims Butler owes over $257,000 in back rent, fees, and repair costs.
According to court documents, Butler signed a two-year lease for the high-end property, which expired in August 2024. However, the lawsuit alleges that he continued living in the home beyond the lease term without paying the required double rent for holdover tenants, as stipulated in his contract. The complaint states that Butler failed to pay a total of $260,000 in rent.
Not only that, the legal filing also claims that the property in question fell into disrepair during Butler’s stay. The property owner claimed that the air-conditioning unit was malfunctioning, ceilings and hardwood floors were damaged, and mold was growing all over the place.
Likewise, the firm also claimed the pool wasn’t maintained either, resulting in algae overgrowth and debris collection. The property owners argue that the damage exceeded Butler’s $130,000 security deposit, leading them to seek additional compensation.
Butler’s latest trouble comes just weeks after his high-profile trade from the Miami Heat. He was involved in trade discussions throughout the offseason after reportedly clashing with Miami’s front office over contract negotiations. The crux of the discord centered on Miami’s decision not to offer Butler a two-year, $113 million contract extension.
Similarly, his final season with the Heat was marked by injuries and suspensions, limiting him to just 60 regular-season games. On top of that, Butler was slapped with three back-to-back suspensions in January 2025, further extending the rift between the team and the player.
The five-time All-NBA team has since joined Steve Kerr and company. Butler has yet to publicly address the lawsuit, and his legal team has not released a statement regarding the allegations.
As the case progresses, it remains to be seen how it will impact the star forward’s transition to the Warriors.
