Real Reason Jimmy Butler Wants to Leave Miami Heat

The speculation surrounding Jimmy Butler's potential Miami Heat exit is starting to pick up some serious momentum now. It is being suggested that the 35-year-old, who has led the franchise to two NBA Finals since arriving in 2019, prefers to be traded ahead of the Feb 6 deadline.

But how did we get here? Why does Butler want to leave Miami, where he is considered a Heat legend by most?

Well, Shams Charania appears to have some of the answers and it appears that Butler's eagerness to leave the Heat is due to a combination of reasons rather than just a particular one.

While speaking on ESPN's NBA Countdown, Charania said on the matter: "This has unraveled over the last several months, and it really started in the offseason. There was no extension for Jimmy Butler. They bypassed that, did not extend him, and they have leaned more into their young core, rising core of Bam Adebayo, their All-Star, and Tyler Herro.

"And over the last three years, Jimmy Butler has wanted the Heat to go get him some help in that roster. They have just have not been able to land players. They've gone after Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard, Kyrie Irving. They have not been able to land that next big fish with Jimmy Butler."

Butler is 35 years old now and he is seeing his Championship window closing. Fortunately for him, it does seem like some peripheral contenders have an interest in his signature.

The Golden State Warriors have been heavily linked with a move for him in recent months. They might not look like contenders right now but with a core of Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Butler, making another run for a ring would not be impossible.

The Phoenix Suns are another team rumored to hold an interest in Butler. Any such trade would most likely involve Bradley Beal heading in the opposite direction while the 35-year-old Heat superstar forms a big three with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker in Arizona.

Teams like the Dallas Mavericks, Brooklyn Nets and Houston Rockets have been suggested as potential landing spots for Butler as well.