"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."

The Miami Heat traded disgruntled star Jimmy Butler to the Golden State Warriors this week, eliciting praise from at least one NBA front office

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.