Jimmy Butler has informed the Miami Heat he wants to be traded, sources tell Shams Charania and Brian Windhorst of ESPN. Butler does not plan to offer a list of preferred teams as he open to playing anywhere other than the Heat. Butler will continue to take part in all team activities and do whatever the Heat ask him during this process.
Butler scored just nine points in the Heat’s 128-115 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Thursday.
“I want to see me getting my joy back playing basketball. Wherever that may be, we’ll find out here pretty soon,” Butler said. “I’m happy here off the court but I want to be back to somewhat dominant, I want to hoop and I want to help this team win and right now I’m not doing it.”
The Heat have been adamant they do not plan to trade Butler, who has previously been linked with the Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks. The Heat have had preliminary trade talks with several teams, but have shown no urgency in those discussions.
Pat Riley and Micky Arison have also met with Butler’s representation in recent days to resolve the divide without success.
Butler is in the final year of a contract paying him $49 million this season, and he has a player option for next season for $52 million.