A recent viral tweet set the internet abuzz with the claim that six-time NBA All-Star Jimmy Butler allegedly slid into Jennifer Lopez’s DMs shortly after she filed for divorce from Ben Affleck. The timing of the supposed message, coming right after Butler returned from his trip to China for the Yao Foundation Charity Game, added fuel to the rumor mill.
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s on-again, off-again relationship has captivated fans for over two decades. Their love story, marked by high-profile proposals, breakups, and marriages to other people, seemed to finally find its happy ending when they tied the knot. However, the fairy tale came to an abrupt end when Lopez filed for divorce from Affleck on August 20, 2024. As their divorce proceedings unfolded, rumors began to circulate that Affleck had already moved on, reportedly spending time with Kathleen Alexandra ‘Kick’ Kennedy, the daughter of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Amidst this backdrop, the tweet claiming that Butler made a move on Lopez gained significant attention. According to the tweet, Butler allegedly messaged Lopez soon after her divorce filing, with Lopez supposedly responding, “Yhu got a ring?”—a cheeky nod to Butler’s NBA career and perhaps a playful way to address his championship aspirations.
However, this juicy tidbit turned out to be nothing more than fiction. The tweet originated from NBA Centel, a parody account known for mimicking NBA Central and posting humorous, fake NBA news. Despite the tweet’s humorous intent, it quickly gained traction, likely due to Butler’s history of being linked to high-profile celebrities, including Shakira and Miley Cyrus.
Shakira:
In mid-2023, rumors swirled that Jimmy Butler was dating international pop star Shakira after they were spotted together at several dinners and outings. The speculation intensified when Shakira attended a Miami Heat game, seemingly to support Butler. However, Butler addressed these rumors in a Rolling Stone interview, clarifying that their relationship was purely platonic. He dismissed the romance rumors, stating, “They just make things up because we are friends. Just because people hang out doesn’t mean they are a couple.” Butler praised Shakira as a “great human being and incredibly talented,” also mentioning that her children are big fans of his team. Despite the speculation, Butler made it clear that they were not dating.
Selena Gomez:
In the fall of 2020, Butler was rumored to be dating singer and actress Selena Gomez after they were spotted dining together in New York City. Their outings were interpreted as casual dates by some, but neither Gomez nor Butler ever confirmed a romantic relationship. The rumors persisted primarily due to their celebrity status, but the situation was ultimately likened to a classic case of media speculation without substantial evidence.
Miley Cyrus:
Back in 2013, rumors emerged that Butler might be involved with pop star Miley Cyrus after he attended one of her parties. Although there was no concrete evidence to support the idea of a romantic relationship, the media and fans were quick to speculate. What was clear, however, was Butler’s admiration for Cyrus, as he has been known to be a big fan of her music and persona.
In the case of Jennifer Lopez, the viral tweet was just another example of how quickly misinformation can spread, especially when it involves high-profile celebrities. While Butler’s name continues to be linked with various stars, it’s important to take such rumors with a grain of salt, as many are often exaggerated or entirely fabricated for entertainment purposes.
