After weeks of no formal trade request, Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler has officially requested to play “anywhere other than Miami,” ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania first reported Thursday.
This comes at the heel of Butler stating Thursday that he no longer has joy playing basketball for the Heat.
It was first reported by Charania last month that the Heat were listening to offers for the 35-year-old six-time All-Star. Though none reportedly came and president Pat Riley released a statement–a rare occurrence–stating that they would not be moving Butler ahead of the deadline.
Now, it appears he officially wants out–after weeks of being coy regarding his future.
“Six-time All-Star Jimmy Butler has indicated to the Miami Heat he wants the team to trade him, league sources told ESPN,” Charania’s report read. “Butler does not plan to furnish the Heat with a list of favored destinations, sources told ESPN. He is open to playing anywhere other than Miami and believes he can make any team a contender — no matter where he is moved. He does plan to take part in all team activities and do whatever the Heat ask of him during this process, sources said.”
According to Charania, one issue stemmed from Wednesday’s 11-point win over the New Orleans Pelicans, Butler’s first game back in nearly two weeks after being out with an illness.
“An issue that led to Butler’s decision, according to sources, was an implication from team officials Thursday that he hadn’t played his hardest in the Heat’s victory Wednesday over the New Orleans Pelicans,” Charania’s report read.
Butler did look noticeably disengaged upon his return, but to some extent, that was understandable after missing two weeks of game action and having to get back into game shape. He still took a one-legged 3 and finished with nine points, four rebounds and two assists in 25 minutes.
He did not play in the 4th quarter in Wednesday’s 11-point win and in Thursday’s 13-point loss to the Indiana Pacers, where he posted another nine-point outing in 27 minutes.
“I’m going out there to compete either way; whether I score nine points or 29 points, I will compete,” Butler said Thursday night, according to Charania. “You won’t say I’m not out there playing hard. It may look like that because my usage is down and I don’t shoot the ball a lot, but [you can’t say] I’m not playing hard.”
Charania notes that his discontent began when Riley challenged him last summer. The Heat’s brass reportedly tried to mend fences with Jimmy Butler and his agency recently, but that could not be accomplished.
“Riley and Heat owner Micky Arison have met with Butler’s representation in recent days attempting to resolve the divide between the parties without success, sources said,” the report read.
“The Butler-Heat relationship has been tense since last spring when Riley announced the team would not extend Butler’s contract before the 2024-25 season. … … Riley and Butler’s relationship has yet to recover, sources said.”
Now that we know Butler is open to playing anywhere outside of Miami, it could open up his trade market ahead of the deadline.
There’s still no guarantee that a team will fork over enough assets to make Pat Riley and Co. cave because they can still take this into the offseason where they will have more flexibility with exceptions and trades.
But there’s also no point in keeping Butler here longer than he wants. An environment with a disgruntled star isn’t one conducive to success–the Heat likely aren’t going anywhere with Jimmy Butler anyway, let alone without him.
He’s earned the right to play for a contender, a team that Miami isn’t right now. Get the best deal for him and proceed forward.
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Holy cow! Getting ugly now! Heat suspend Butler for 7 games!! Conduct detrimental to the team.
He wanted that outcome. His team said the Heat threatened him with that just for the Pelicans game, which was BS. But after that postgame interview that should buy some time to make a deal if one materializes.
Yes. They definitely didn’t want him traveling with the team on this road trip.
I saw this proposal on si.com. I would take it in a New York Minute.
Heat receive: De’Aaron Fox, Zeke Nnaji, Jordan McLaughlin
Nuggets receive: Jimmy Butler
Kings receive: Michael Porter Jr., Dario Saric, 2030 first-round pick (via MIA), 2028 first-round pick (via DEN), Los Angeles Lakers’ 2026 second-round pick (via MIA)
yep, i’ll take it. I’ll take fox or porter. jimmy can go to sac or den
Amen. Sac, Denver or GS. Brooklyn and Houston ok too. Not Phoenix!
I was about to ask why not Phoenix. then I saw your screen name and lol’d
My signature would be on that before the contract ink dries.
We wish, Sunman. We wish. At this point clearing out the cap space this summer would be ideal. If they can do that while getting a good player, great. I have my doubts thanks to Joy to the world.
Bleacher has a hilarious one where the Heat end up with Cam Johnson, Buddy, Kuminga, Williams and some picks. I laughed my @$$ off.
Shams reporting the Heat are trying to move him asap. We legit could have a resolution by end of the weekend.
Well it was fun while it lasted, I appreciated everything that butler did during his tenure, and very grateful to him for getting us to the finals twice. But it’s time for him to go. Barkley said it’s like the klay situation and I agree. Jimmy still good but he ain’t almost 60 million good. Sometimes I just don’t understand some of these players egos. They want to win a chip, but don’t want to take a paycut. Like bro you getting shoe deal money, commercials, big face coffee, nba max/super max money. Sure Riley could’ve made better moves, but Jimmy could of took 15 – 30 million less. It’s only so much you can do when your close to the 2nd apron with not much assets. Also can’t forget Jimmy wanting his washed up buddy Lowry, but anyways both Jimmy, and Riley deserve there fair share of blame, but I digress. Honestly if I was Getting paid millions I would never lose my joy for the game. I play for free and still love it. Also that was very bold of him saying he would play anywhere but miami. So playing with trailblazers or hornets will get your love of the game back? Lol well anyways I appreciate you Jimmy for what you’ve done for us, so hopefully you get traded to a good team, and hopefully we get some good assets. Chams was right all along.
Great comment, and, yeah, blame is a two way street for sure.
my lesson from watching the Blazers do this dance with Dame:
great comment.
I don’t think this is a referendum on player, coaching or front office leadership. Jimmy wants to compete to win–our team would need him to channel his absolute best to win. He’s probably being as honest as he possibly can be–that player and play style doesn’t exist anymore and it’s brought about these existential musings.
I’ll remember his time really fondly. He’s had a major impact. I wish we could have gotten over the hump with him.
True. He made the Heat relevant again.
he did well here but i think the fans are justified being disappointed in these comments. he has damaged the team and his own trade value
Good luck, Jimmy!
Watch Herro put up 15 ppg in the playoffs again . Prove Jimmy right and Pat wrong . Then we got some gullible fans talking about “he’s still young “ get the hell out of here with that . Then another dude with the audacity to say “we develop better then anyone else “ like that’s gotten this team further than proven talent could we not winning like that just stop it please you don’t know ball and it’s hurting our heads ! Trade everyone except Bam ,Ware , and the rookies . Time for a retool the right way this time !
The Heat’s development program is impressive within limits. It’s rare that a GLeaguer ever becomes more than a rotation player.
Herro is the real thing. A team can win with him. But, even though he is our best player this year, he is not quite an all star unless each team has to be represented.
I agree, time to retool and do it the right way. We don’t have to trade everyone, but at least several players. I do think only Bam and Ware are untouchable.
it was a great run, Jimmy. The Heat allowed you to be the best version of yourself and in turn you went to the Finals twice and one shot away from a 3rd appearance. That’s a hell of a lot better than the Bulls, Wolves and sorry ass 76ers. Send him west and see if he can be playoff Jimmy for one of those teams.
Even though I feel his comments were bush league, I do hope he gets his ring to complete his legacy.
Compared to what he’s done in the past I would say this was nice. lol
Who didn’t see this coming? The only part of it that makes no sense is Pat Riley’s responses to this obvious predicament. He makes no sense to keep Jimmy and then get him Alec Burks. It made no sense to not trade redundant parts to bring in more skill sets. Look at the players Pat brought in over the last four years. Look at the trades not made chasing whales. Look at the contracts he kept and the ones he let go. The only thing that makes sense is Jimmy finally giving up on this team after so long of not getting reinforcements.
Heat is one of the best picking and developing young players, but since Butlers arrival, there wasn’t a quality trade. That’s on Riley for sure.
Still, Butler is well paid athlete, which should play basketball at the high level no matter what. He made a half of million for standing in the corner last night after all. He should be happy with that.
Here is where I’ve strongly disagreed with you. In the second year of his tenure, he made it clear that he wanted his buddy Lowry, resulting in the Dragic/Precious trade and a 3 year $85 million egregious contract that hamstrung the team from that point forward. Blame Riley for agreeing to that, but it was specifically to appease his star player. In recent years, Riley and think tank has brought in Highsmith, Jovic, Jaquez, Dru, Ware, Keshad, Pelle, and perhaps Stevens and Christopher on a shoestring budget. Prior to that, he brought in Butler when no one thought they had the room. Granted, the jury will remain out on the youngsters, but they are the future.
In addition, he couldn’t help Portland going out of their way to screw us. And we lost out on KD, who hasn’t carried any team he’s been with since his GSW ring. And he did that with a dynastic team that was stacked.
I do believe Pat was getting paid during those last few years. He was equivalently standing in the corner when his off season nets us Alec Burks.
And, it was likely Riley who turned Portland off. As well as others across the league. DeRozan was another who Riley couldn’t reel in. Beal, Durant, maybe there is a pattern there.
And how absurd is it for a GM to cave into his player and give out that huge contract that made us unable to make other moves and forced us to give up a number one. How can people overlook these things?
I don’t think the Heat had serious interest in DeRozen. But I understand what you’re saying.
Hahaha Portland didn’t screw you. This franchise and y’all fans are some of the most arrogant, entitled and out-of-touch people. Shouldn’t be surprised being Miami,Florida. You expected Damian to be traded to you for a half-eaten bag of chips and some pocket lint. This is nothing but karma. The Piper always gets paid, folks. Be happy with your run and quit acting like this wasn’t y’all’s own doing. Offer a decent package and work with another team to make the money work and you’d of got your wish. I’ll happily take Milwaukee’s picks when the potential for a Giannis-less team heads for the lottery. Thanks again, folks.
That’s comical, coming from a fan of a franchise that hasn’t won anything in almost 50 years, currently enjoying another .333 season and you say we got hit by bad karma?? Bwahaha. And, what’s the issue with Miami (I don’t actually live there)? As if Portland is the cultural center of the country?
Oh, btw, that half eaten bag of chips (Herro) is having a better season than anyone on your roster.
Call the medic. We have a burn victim.
Well, so that’s that.
I believe its up to Riley to do his magic now, trade Jimmy for as much as possible. No need for hard feelings from any side, this can be a friendly divorce.
If not, I think Jimmy should be away from the team. And yes, if there wont be any good offer, Heat should wait until postseason
I don’t see any Riley magic anymore. I hope he shows some glimmer of it but I would not be surprised if this is the beginning of the end for him too.
If I was Jimmy, I would do the same. This team is going nowhere. That is mostly Pats fault. For three years, even the year we went to the finals, Pat has been coasting on his past success. This team is below average without Butler, mediocre with him. It’s dispiriting to play out his final chance to win with a supporting team like this.
Blame Pat, point the finger right where it belongs. Anyone else, even you or I, would have surrounded Jimmy better, the last three years. Jimmy was so great he made Pat look great even when he was screwing up royally. Then, once Jimmy couldn’t carry us anymore, when he needed Riley to support him, Pat continued to flounder.
That’s reality. Godfather no longer.
Maybe. Time will tell.
Exactly !!!