The Jimmy Butler trade rumors are not slowing down, but Pat Riley has now become involved in the saga.
The latest from Shams Charania on Christmas Day was:
“Six-time NBA All-Star Jimmy Butler prefers a trade out of Miami ahead of the Feb. 6 deadline, league sources told ESPN.
“ESPN reported in the Inside Pass on Dec. 10 that the Heat are willing to listen to trade offers for Butler, and that Butler wants a win-now contender in any deal. Butler has not formally requested a trade, sources said, but is believed to be ready for his exit.”
Shams also reported that Miami is open to listening to offers for Butler, who wants a trade to a “win-now contender”, like the Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets.
According to multiple sources, Butler was disappointed that the Heat did not publicly deny a Dec. 10 ESPN report that Miami was open to trading him.
Things hav seemed tense between the star forward and the Heat since the franchise didn’t offer him an extension over the summer.
He is on a $49 million contract with the Heat for this season and has a $52 million player option for 2025-26.
Since the two sides couldn’t reach an extension agreement, speculation that he could be traded or leave as a free agent during the 2025 offseason has been non-stop.
However today, Heat president Pat Riley did finally deny the rumors that the team is looking to trade its star player.
“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,” Riley said. “Therefore, we will make it clear – We are not trading Jimmy Butler.”
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