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