Jimmy Butler wants to leave the Miami Heat and has requested a trade from the franchise, according to ESPN.
Jimmy Butler has no preferred destination and wants to part ways with the Heat, and believes he could make his next team a title contender.
“I want to see me getting my joy back playing basketball. Wherever that may be, we’ll find out here pretty soon. I’m happy here off the court, but I want to be back to somewhat dominant, I want to hoop and I want to help this team win, and right now I’m not doing it,” Jimmy Butler said Thursday after a 128-115 loss to the Indiana Pacers. [h/t ESPN.com]
Jimmy Butler has indicated that he wants to be traded and is open to playing ANYWHERE except Miami, per @ShamsCharania
“He is open to playing anywhere other than Miami and feels he can make any team a contender — no matter where he is moved, sources said.” pic.twitter.com/DlAA1Y9Qc2
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 3, 2025
The Miami Heat are in no rush to trade Butler, even though they already had talks with interested teams, per an ESPN report.
JImmy Butler is in the final year of a contract paying him $49 million this season, and he has a player option for next season for $52 million. In 2021, with one guaranteed year left on his deal, Butler extended his contract with the Heat in a similar situation.
Per the report, the All-Star forward plans to decline his 2025-26 player option and become a free agent in July.
Butler is averaging 18 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists while shooting a career-high 55.3% from the field. He has led the Miami Heat to two NBA Finals and one additional Eastern Conference Finals.