Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler reportedly “prefers to leave Miami before the February 6 deadline,” according to ESPN's Shams Charania on Wednesday. Although Butler has not officially requested a trade, the six-time All-Star is believed to be ready to leave.
Heat trade rumors: Jimmy Butler makes $48.79 million this season, $52.41 million player option for 2025-26
News emerged earlier this month that Miami is willing to listen to trade offers for Butler and that Butler would be interested in playing for a now-winning contender in any trade.
The 35-year-old Butler's contract with the Heat this season is US$48.79 million. After the two parties failed to reach an extension last summer, he also has a player option of US$52.41 million for the 2025-26 season.
Sources told Charania that teams inquiring about Butler have been informed that the 14-year veteran intends to decline his player option for the 2025-26 season and become a free agent in July.
NBA Countdown: Jimmy Butler prefers trade away from Miami, two teams at the top of his desired destination — and how we got here: pic.twitter.com/FLstMhPo3P
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 25, 2024
Charania reported on December 10 that the Heat were “willing to listen to offers for Butler and if the offer is right, make a deal.” Butler's agent, Bernie Lee, also indicated which teams his client would like to play for.
Butler is open to trade destinations such as the Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns. Multiple teams have contacted the Heat over the past two weeks to express interest in Butler, but the Miami Heat have shown no urgency to complete a deal.
Earlier this month, Heat owner Mitch Arison retweeted Lee's statement on X, saying Charania's latest report on Butler was false. Miami also denied trade rumors surrounding Butler.
However, miami herald Barry Jackson responded to Charania's report, saying that while Butler didn't ask for a trade, “if the Heat don't trade him, he's going to finish the year here.”
Miami could spend the season with Butler
If the Heat decide to play out the season, that means they will wait until Butler picks up his option for the 2025-26 season or decides to opt out. Jackson said Miami is willing to carry the “soap opera through July unless it receives an attractive offer before February 6.”
Butler made the playoffs in 12 of his first 13 seasons, including five previous seasons in Miami, where he led the Heat to two NBA Finals appearances and another trip to the Eastern Conference Finals.
In 20 games this season (all starts), Butler averaged 31.4 minutes per game, 18.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.3 steals, and shot a career-high 55.2% from the field. The shooting percentage was 35.7% and the free throw percentage was 78.2%.
According to Basketball-Reference, Butler currently ranks ninth in player efficiency rating (24.6), seventh in offensive win shares (2.7), and 10th in offensive plus-minus (6.1). Ranked eighth in offensive plus-minus (5.2) and fourth in offensive rating.
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