Image Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Suspended Heat star, Jimmy Butler reiterates trade demand to Pat Riley

Jimmy Butler is in the last year of a contract worth $49 million and has a player option for 2025-26.

Image Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Miami Heat star is serving a seven-game suspension for detrimental conduct and his ban will be over this week. Meanwhile, Jimmy Butler is not interested in staying in Miami as the six-time NBA All-Star reiterated his trade demand to Heat president Pat Riley last week during a face-to-face meeting, ESPN reported Tuesday.

Reporting for @SportsCenter — Jimmy Butler reiterated his trade request to Pat Riley's face, and the conversations occurring in the next couple of days: pic.twitter.com/cOGbHVJMV1
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 14, 2025

Butler might be recalled to the roster after his suspension ends, but the franchise will take offers for the veteran forward. Miami Heat suspended him on Jan. 3, partly saying “through his actions and statements, he has shown he no longer wants to be part of this team.”

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Will Miami accept offers for Jimmy Butler before the deadline?

League sources reported to ESPN that Miami Heat officials will meet later this week to discuss the best route with Butler and owner Micky Arison will also have a face-to-face meeting with the 35-year-old forward.

Miami Heat are 20-18 in the Eastern Conference and are 3-2 in their ongoing six-game road trip. They end their trip against the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday. Butler will be eligible to play against the Denver Nuggets on Friday in Miami.

Shams Charania reported that the Miami Heat is not giving priority to any trade offer for Jimmy Butler. Pat Riley has not shown an urgency in these talks, as the trade deadline looms on Feb. 6, sources added.

The Miami Heat have received multiple trade offers for Jimmy Butler, but Pat Riley hasn’t shown any urgency to finalize any deals, per @ShamsCharania

“The Heat have engaged with multiple teams on Butler trade scenarios and have received offers but have been hesitant to… pic.twitter.com/zif4oijcKC
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 14, 2025

Jimmy Butler is in the last year of a contract worth $49 million and has a player option for 2025-26. He can become a free agent in the offseason and has informed the Heat that he won’t sign a contract extension with the team. The six-time All-Star reportedly will lose $2.35 million during his suspension.

The Heat superstar is averaging 17.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.7 assists while shooting a career-best 55.2% from the field this season. He guided Miami to the playoffs five times, including two NBA finals.

Teams who can acquire Jimmy Butler

Clutch Point’s Brett Siegel reported that the Phoenix Suns, Milwaukee Bucks, and Golden State Warriors are the potential suitors for Jimmy Butler. However, the Miami Star is not a priority for the Warriors and they have reportedly shifted their focus on Chicago Bulls’ Nikola Vucevic.

NBA Insider says Butler will opt into his $52M option for the Heat to trade him to Phoenix unless Pat Riley finds a different trade he likes in the offseason. “It will be interesting to see if Riley gives into just getting whatever he can for Jimmy now or wait until the offseason”, Brett Siegel added.

Image Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Jimmy Butler

Miami Heat

NBA 2024-25

Phoenix Suns

Gulshan Sharma

nba

soccer

wnba

A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.