Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler reiterated to team president Pat Riley in a one-on-one meeting last week that he wants to be traded, league sources told ESPN.
Butler told Riley that he would not sign a new contract in Miami and that he intended to use his $52 million player option for 2025-26 in the offseason only as a trade maneuver, sources said.
Butler's seven-game, team-imposed suspension from the Heat – for what he called “harmful conduct” – ends Thursday. Then Miami must find a path forward for Butler, with options such as a return to the roster or a trade.
Heat officials will meet later this week to discuss the best route with Butler, who requested a trade earlier this month, league sources said. Owner Micky Arison is also expected to sit down with Butler later this week, league sources added.
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Heat coach Erik Spoelstra and players like Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo have spoken over the past week about providing clarity and removing the distraction of Butler's circumstances during his absence.
The Heat, 20-18 and in seventh place in the Eastern Conference standings, are 3-2 so far on their current six-game road trip. They finish the trip on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Lakers and then host the Denver Nuggets on Friday in Miami.
“That's what we wanted, just to get back on the road, to get away from all the chaos,” Herro told reporters after Saturday night's win over the Portland Trail Blazers. “We rally each other and take care of the guys who are here now. We’ve had enough.”
The Heat suspended Butler on Jan. 3, saying in a statement: “Through his actions and statements, he has demonstrated that he no longer wants to be a part of this team. “Jimmy Butler and his representative have indicated that they would like to be traded, so we will listen to offers.”
Spoelstra said the day after Butler's suspension that the team aimed to “calm down any distractions.”
The Heat have discussed Butler trade scenarios with multiple teams and received offers, but have been hesitant to negotiate further, sources said. Riley has shown no urgency in those discussions as the Feb. 6 trade deadline approaches, sources added.
ESPN reported on Christmas Day that Butler favors a move away from Miami, with the Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets being his preferred destinations. A day later, Riley released a statement that said, in part: “We will make it clear – we are not dealing with Jimmy Butler.”
Meanwhile, Butler had to take a break. After a 13-day absence from the team due to a so-called illness and reconditioning period, Butler had two low-impact games upon his return. Butler scored nine points in 25 minutes in a win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Jan. 1 and then nine points in 27 minutes in a blowout loss to the Indiana Pacers a night later. In these two games he scored a total of 11 times.
One issue that led to Butler's decision to request a trade, sources said, was team officials' suggestion that he didn't play his best in the Heat's win over the Pelicans on New Year's Day. Sources said Butler had made it clear to the Heat before his suspension that he planned to participate in team activities while his status was pending.
Butler is in the final year of his contract, which pays him $49 million this season and has a player option for 2025-26. His suspension was expected to cost him $2.35 million, but the National Basketball Players Association filed a complaint, calling the suspension “excessive and unreasonable.”
The 35-year-old Butler is averaging 17.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.7 assists and shooting a season-best 55.2% from the field – but his 10.5 field goal attempts per game are his fewest since 2013-14. During his career, Butler was named to five All-NBA teams, including three during his tenure with the Heat. His teams have made the playoffs in 12 of his 13 seasons, including the five previous seasons with Miami, which he led to two NBA Finals and another Eastern Conference Final.
