The future of Jimmy Butler with the Miami Heat is uncertain as they are in the middle of the Eastern Conference standings and the team has appeared reluctant to sign him long-term. Butler has now surfaced in trade speculation this week with the Heat reportedly willing to listen to offers.
“I actually like it,” Butler said following the Heat’s practice at Kaseya Center on Wednesday. “It’s good to be talked about. I don’t think there’s such a thing as bad publicity to a point. But if somebody is talking about me getting traded, that’s a lot.”
Teams have reportedly been informed that Butler intends to decline his $52.4 million player option for the 25-26 season to become a free agent.
“It’s fine with me,” Butler said of the trade speculation. “It doesn’t bother me one bit and I do appreciate it. I appreciate going out there and hooping and I appreciate being efficient, being effective and helping my team win. I don’t ever take playing basketball for anybody for granted.”
When asked about his long-term future with the Heat, Butler said Wednesday: “Who knows?”
Butler was asked if he still hopes to spend the rest of his NBA career with the Heat.
“I don’t know,” said Butler. “I’m pretty sure y’all are going to get a report that’s going to say otherwise anyways. So there’s no sense in me answering that question.”