The Jimmy Butler trade rumors aren’t slowing down, but Pat Riley is now involved in the saga.
The latest news from Shams Charania on Christmas Day is:
“Six-time NBA All-Star Jimmy Butler prefers to leave Miami before the Feb. 6 deadline,” league sources told ESPN.
ESPN reported on Inside Pass on December 10 that the Heat were willing to listen to trade offers for Butler and that Butler hoped to find a win-now contender in any deal. Butler has not officially requested a trade, but he is believed to be ready to exit, sources said.
Shams also reported that Miami is willing to listen to offers for Butler, who wants to be traded to “winning contenders right now” such as the Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets.
According to multiple sources, Butler was disappointed that the Heat did not publicly deny an ESPN report on Dec. 10 that Miami was willing to trade him.
Things have appeared to be strained between the star forward and the Heat since the team didn’t offer him a contract extension over the summer.
He signed a contract with the Heat worth $49 million this season and has a player option worth $52 million for the 2025-26 season.
Due to the failure of the two parties to reach an extension agreement, speculation has been endless that he may be traded or leave as a free agent in the 2025 offseason.
Today, however, Heat president Pat Riley finally denied rumors that the team is looking to trade star players.
“We don’t normally comment on rumors, but all this speculation has become a distraction to the team and unfair to the players and coaches,” Riley said. “So, we’ll make it clear – we are not trading Jimmy Butler.”
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