Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler continues to find himself in the heart of trade rumors this season. After much speculation, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Butler wants a trade away from Miami. Furthermore, he named the Houston Rockets, Golden State Warriors, Phoenix Suns, and Dallas Mavericks as potential destinations for the Marquette alum. Butler has not played in Miami’s last three games and will likely miss more time.
According to The Miami Herald’s Anthony Chiang (subscription required), Butler remains away from the team despite being expected to return on Friday. Furthermore, Butler’s status for Miami’s game against the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday “is in doubt.”
“Amid ongoing trade speculation surrounding Jimmy Butler, he remains away from the Miami Heat. Following the Heat’s 89-88 win over the Orlando Magic at Kia Center on Thursday night to open a three-game trip, there was an expectation that Butler would meet the team in Orlando for its Friday afternoon flight in Atlanta. But Butler remains in Miami going through his “return to competition reconditioning” process, according to a league source, and his status is in doubt for Saturday’s matchup against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena,” Chiang wrote.
New Jimmy Butler Report Further Sparks Trade Rumors
The Miami Heat Say They Will Not Trade Jimmy Butler
After Charania’s report, Heat president Pat Riley made a statement in response. In a shocking move, Riley directly said the Heat would not trade Butler this season.
Statement from Pat Riley
“We usually don’t comment on rumors, but all this speculation has become a distraction to the team and is not fair to the players and coaches. Therefore, we will make it clear – We are not trading Jimmy Butler.”
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) December 26, 2024
Given the rumors and reports, this is an interesting development. Butler has been with Miami since 2019. However, he has a $52.4 million player option for the 2025-26 season. Despite Butler being eligible for a contract extension, it seems unlikely he will receive one. Furthermore, it is reportedly inevitable that Butler will decline his player option and become a free agent next summer.
Keeping Butler on the roster is risky, especially because the Heat could lose him in the offseason for nothing. However, if Riley is willing to take this risk, it is likely for good reason.
The Last Word
The trade deadline is not until February. By then, fans will have a better idea of what Butler’s future in Miami looks like. While reports are indicating Butler wants out, Riley’s statement confirms it is not a mutual feeling.
Regardless of what happens in the future, the Heat have to play good basketball with the team they have. Two months into the season, the Heat are 15-13 and own the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference. Furthermore, they rank as the 11th-best offense and ninth-best defense in the NBA. Additionally, their +2.8 net rating is the 10th-best in the league.
Two seasons removed from an NBA Finals appearance, the Heat are looking to make it back once again. Whether they will go on with or without Butler remains to be seen.
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