The Miami Heat enjoyed a memorable run to the 2023 NBA Finals, and despite falling short of their goal, forward Jimmy Butler believes they aren’t far off from being champions.

During a recent tour of China, Butler discussed Miami’s latest Finals appearance along with the steps it will take to return and win a title. Butler explained that the key to the Heat’s playoff success was simply teamwork, and while it’s “okay” that they lost, a championship remains the “expectation” this season.

But to succeed, Butler says he must shoulder most of the workload.

“It’s always the same expectation,” Butler told CGTN Sports Scene. “I have to be able to get us over the hump to win a championship. I know that the group of guys that are always placed around myself is capable of it. Maybe we all gotta do a little bit more, but a championship is coming to the future in Miami.”

After being the sixth-worst offensive team in the regular season, Miami turned the corner in the play-in tournament and carried their momentum into the playoffs. Unfortunately, an ankle injury Butler sustained in the second round and the overwhelming number of games throughout the postseason run wore on the Heat against Boston in the conference finals.

Miami started the series by winning the first three games, but Boston battled back to force a decisive Game 7. For their efforts, the Celtics became the first team in NBA history to host a Game 7 after trailing 3–0 in a series.

While the Miami and Boston series dragged on, the eventual champion Nuggets had an extended break as they swept the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals. The disparity in energy levels provided the boost Denver needed to close out the NBA Finals in five games.

Although Miami lost key reserves in free agency, namely Max Strus, Gabe Vincent and Cody Zeller, the team is poised for improvement going forward. On July 1, Portland star point guard Damian Lillard requested a trade specifically to Miami after spending the past 11 seasons with the franchise. However, the process continues to drag on as a market of suitors outside of the Heat has yet to develop.

With Lillard’s agent, Aaron Goodwin, reportedly warning other teams to avoid trading for the seven-time All-Star because he’ll only be happy in Miami, the market Portland seeks may never materialize.

Last week, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski suggested the “real deadline” for a Lillard trade is the start of September’s training camp, as Portland doesn’t “want to rush into” a regrettable deal.

Butler famously guaranteed that Miami would play and beat Boston to advance to the 2023 NBA Finals after falling to the Celtics in Game 7 of the 2022 Eastern Conference Finals. If Lillard ends up in Miami, Butler will be well-positioned to deliver on another lofty prediction.