Jimmy Butler’s future with the Heat has been a source of conversation to begin the NBA season, and it took another turn to start the new year.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Thursday that Butler has requested a trade from the Heat ahead of the NBA deadline on Feb. 6 — and the 35-year-old is open to playing anywhere.
This report comes after another from Charania on Christmas Day noting that Butler would prefer for Miami to make a deal. The six-time All-Star has seemingly escalated his request since then.
“I want to see me getting my joy back playing basketball. Wherever that may be, we’ll find out here pretty soon,” Butler said Thursday after the Heat’s 128-115 loss to the Pacers. “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.”
When asked if he could find joy again with the Heat, he replied: “Probably not.”
Team leadership, though, as shot down trade rumors. After ESPN’s previous report on Butler’s preference for a trade, Heat president Pat Riley said in a statement: “We will make it clear — we are not trading Jimmy Butler.”
The Heat hold the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference but are just 17-15 on the season.
After this season, Butler has a player option for the 2025-26 campaign, but teams were told of Butler’s intention to decline that option, per Charania. Therefore, any team that wants to trade for Butler may be approaching negotiations as if they would be acquiring a rental player.
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Jimmy Butler trade destinations
On Christmas Day, Charania reported Butler’s preferred destinations, with the Warriors potentially the most interesting option. Golden State has been the most-rumored landing spot for Butler, as the Warriors are 16-16 on the season but are still looking to win with Stephen Curry in his prime.
Besides Golden State, Charania listed the Rockets, Mavericks, and Suns as places where Butler would like to play, though the latest report indicates a willingness to expand his options. Houston is currently 22-11 and in third place in the Western Conference, while Dallas is 20-14 and in fifth place. Phoenix is out of the playoff picture at 15-17, but the Suns have dealt with injury issues throughout the season.
The Sporting News’ Steph Noh ranked Butler’s potential trade destinations in December, with the Warriors and Rockets leading the way.
Jimmy Butler stats 2024
| Games | 21 |
| Points per game | 18.0 |
| Rebounds per game | 5.7 |
| Assists per game | 4.7 |
| Field goal percentage | 55.3% |
| Three-point percentage | 36.7% |
Butler’s points per game this year is his lowest since joining the Heat, but the field goal percentage would be the best of his career.
Jimmy Butler contract
Butler is making just under $49 million this year as part of a contract extension he signed in 2021. He also has a $52 million player option for the 2025-26 season. Butler opted not to sign an extension over the summer, instead choosing to play out his contract with Miami.