Jimmy Butler prefers trade out of Miami

Charania clarifies that Butler has not formally asked the Heat to trade him, but he’s "believed to be ready for his exit" from the franchise.

Butler has been the subject of trade rumors in recent weeks, with Charania first reporting on Dec. 10 that the Heat were open to listening to offers on the six-time All-Star. Charania stated at the time that the Mavericks, Rockets and Warriors were a few of the teams that would appeal to Butler in the event of a trade, then added the Suns to that list the following day.

Multiple teams have been in touch with the Heat within the past couple of weeks to express interest in Butler, but Miami isn’t showing urgency in those discussions, sources tell ESPN.

Reporting in the wake of Miami’s elimination from the 2024 playoffs indicated that Butler would be seeking a maximum salary extension during the offseason. Asked about that possibility during his end-of-season news conference in the spring, president of basketball operations Pat Riley expressed reluctance to make that sort of financial investment in a player "unless you have someone who is going to be available every night," a reference to Butler’s injury issues in recent seasons.

Butler subsequently decided to put off extension discussions and remain with the Heat to open the season rather than pushing for an offseason trade. However, he has been unhappy about not being extended, according to Anthony Chiang and Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.

Following the publication of Wednesday’s ESPN report, reporters in Miami — including Chiang and Jackson — have cited sources who confirm Butler hasn’t demanded a trade. According to the Miami Herald, Butler would play out the season with Miami if that’s what the team decides, but he would be fine with a change of scenery as well.

The 35-year-old is earning $48.8M this season and holds a $52.4M player option for the 2025-26 season. Multiple reports have indicated he intends to turn down that option to become a free agent, whether or not he’s traded this season. 

Butler doesn’t have to decide on that option until late June, though, so it’s possible he’ll use that stance for leverage purposes and opt-in or sign an extension later in the season if he ends up in a situation he likes.

Marc Stein and others have reported that the Heat believe they’d be in a good position with Butler next summer since the rebuilding Nets are the only team projected to have maximum salary cap room. 

Chiang and Jackson reiterated that point Wednesday, writing that Miami is "not at all concerned" about losing the former Marquette standout for nothing in free agency. Still, Charania says both the Heat and Butler seem willing to move on from one another.

Butler’s relationship with the Heat has become "somewhat strained," per Chiang and Jackson, who heard from a source that the 14-year veteran was disappointed the team didn’t publicly deny Charania’s Dec. 10 report that Miami was open to moving him. 

Butler was also the only Heat player not to attend a Christmas party at Riley’s house, though he has missed the party in the past, so that’s not necessarily meaningful, according to Chiang and Jackson.

The Miami Herald duo hears from a source that Butler was "caught off guard" when Riley scolded him at his spring news conference for Butler’s claim that the Celtics and Knicks would "be at home" if he had been able to play in the postseason.

"If you’re not on the court playing against Boston or on the court playing against the New York Knicks, you should keep your mouth shut on the criticism of those teams," Riley said at the time.

While the relationship between player and team isn’t as strong as it once was, Butler hasn’t been disruptive at all this season like he was in 2018 when he requested a trade out of Minnesota, according to the Miami Herald.

Butler is averaging 18.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.9 assists in 31.4 minutes per game across 20 outings so far this season, with a .552/.357/.782 shooting line. His season-long averages have been hurt to some extent by the fact that he was only able to play seven minutes in a pair of games that he left due to injuries.

Butler’s $48.8M salary will complicate some teams’ ability to acquire him via trade. The Mavericks and Suns fall into that group and appear not to have enough assets to entice Miami, per Chiang and Jackson. The Rockets, meanwhile, have told people they’re not interested in pursuing Butler, a source tells the Miami Herald.