Did Jimmy Butler hint about his free agency decision on Twitter?

Chad Johnson may have culled crucial information about Jimmy Butler and his decision for 2019 NBA free agency. Yes, that Chad Johnson (a.k.a. Chad Ochocinco), the retired NFL receiver.

Butler will meet with the Miami Heat on Sunday and is also scheduled to meet with the Houston Rockets during early next week, according to ESPN. Johnson, who is based in Miami, figured he’d see if Butler would be interested in a 1-on-1 game if he’s in town.

“ASAP after I get a contract done.. you’ll be the first I call. I want the footrace first tho. Slow ass,” Butler wrote on Sunday morning.

Shocking: a cryptic tweet ahead of free agency. Let’s dissect. I could see one of three things happening here.

Butler may be joking around — and messing with news outlets everywhere. This may not mean much. Butler may be speaking generally about getting his contract done, whether with Miami, Houston or otherwise. Butler may be hinting that he’s trying to get his contract done in Miami with the Heat. Afterward, he’d stay in the city to get in that 1-on-1 game and footrace.

Butler and Miami have been closely tied during the free agency process. But it’s easy to imagine that the Heat will have difficulty adding Butler’s next contract with their limited cap space. It’s possible — but not easy. That’s why a sign-and-trade deal would make Butler’s acquisition more possible, a scenario which the Sixers haven’t ruled out, according to ESPN.

Butler was drawn to Miami after seeing the Heat organization show Dwyane Wade a tremendous amount of love during the star’s final home game, according to the AP’s Tim Reynolds. Wade retired this offseason.

The Heat will get a first shot at consummating a deal to land Butler when free agency opens. Butler’s tweet only deepened his connection to Miami.