Jimmy Butler trade drama has picked up as his suspension ends, but that doesn’t mean the sides are any closer to a trade. Let’s break down where things stand with Butler.
Jimmy Butler back with Heat, playing games
Jimmy Butler reportedly was heard using the Marshawn Lynch “I’m just here so I won’t get fined” comment, which likely is true, but he is back with the Miami Heat and playing in games. While things feel bit awkward and icy — he’s not exactly engaging with teammates or coach Erik Spoelstra — there has been no drama. Yet.
Butler played 33 minutes in a loss to the Nuggets and scored 18 points in his return, then followed it up with almost 28 minutes in the Heat’s blowout win over the Spurs on Sunday, when he had eight points and seven assists.
Miami has a nationally televised game Thursday on TNT against the Bucks, although the biggest drama that night is likely what Barkley and Shaq say about Butler more than what happens on the court.
Miami still actively looking for Butler trade
While actual movement on this trade is well behind the pace (and thirst for) online speculation, know that the Miami Heat are trying to find a trade for Butler. Here is how Marc Stein put it in his latest Substack missive:
“Butler is indeed an active member of the Heat once again, but league sources stress that Miami is determined to keep exploring trade possibilities between now and the Feb. 6 trade deadline amid real concerns that there is a considerable amount of season left to navigate to co-exist for two parties that would prefer an immediate separation.”
None of that lessens the challenges that have prevented a trade from already happening — trade restrictions due to the luxury tax (on Miami and all Butler’s potential suitors) and a limited market for the 35-year-old who wants a big new contract after this season. Still, the Heat have not given up.
Butler tells Riley face-to-face: Trade me
Jimmy Butler doesn’t want to play in Miami any longer, he wants to be traded — and before the Feb. 6 trade deadline. If not, he will use his $52.4 million player option next season to leave Miami, he will not re-sign with the Heat.
None of that is new, but Butler reiterated it face-to-face with Miami Heat president Pat Riley (Shams Charania of ESPN had the report).
This came as part of a PR push from Butler’s backers to say that the Heat are not being aggressive enough in finding a trade. That echoes recent years when the Heat were passive in adding talent — they stood pat while teams like Boston added Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis (Miami did not land Damian Lillard as was expected at the time) — and the idea is that has carried over to these trade talks.
That’s not what league sources have told NBC Sports (and has been reported by others as well), which is that there is no trade movement because there is a limited market for the 35-year-old, six-time All-Star. What Miami wants in a trade is players who can help it win now, and it doesn’t want to take on bad long-term contracts. Add in the NBA salary tax apron restrictions (Miami can’t take back $1 more in a trade than it sends out) and the fact Butler is making $48.8 million this season and it becomes very difficult to construct a fair trade.
So we wait.
Butler’s frustration with Heat not new
Part of Butler’s PR pushback this week against Miami was clearly aimed at the idea that this was all about money (even though we all know that in professional sports, it is always about money).
Butler’s frustration with the Heat goes back years because while he watched Boston do things such as add Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday, the Heat stood pat (not getting a guy like Damian Lillard), according to the latest report via James Jackson of The Athletic.
Two things can be true. Jimmy Butler can be frustrated with the Heat’s aggressiveness, but nobody said anything until it became about the money.
Butler not the easiest teammate to deal with
Think about how bad things have gotten that Butler’s teammates in Miami that one would tell ESPN, “We don’t want him back.” If you ever wonder why Butler’s trade market is so small, start with that in mind.
Butler’s confidants have pushed the idea that the Heat have not been aggressive enough, but Miami knows how to play the public relations game, too, so it’s not a coincidence that “Jimmy Butler is a diva” leaks are increasing as everything drags out.
Diva as in during the NBA Finals in 2023 he stayed on his own in a mansion 30 miles away in Boulder rather than a hotel in downtown Dever like the rest of the team. Diva as in occasionally skipping out on morning shootarounds, insisting on private flights separate from Miami’s team charter, and enough other stuff that former Miami player Tim Hardaway Sr. told Sirius XM NBA Radio that Pat Riley sent a 10-page letter to the players’ association detailing Butler’s issues, reports Marc Stein in his newsletter.
Again, this is not new news around the league and part of the reason teams are hesitant to get into the Butler business.
Jimmy Butler not going anywhere until Summer?
We know where things stand: Jimmy Butler wants to be traded, ideally to Phoenix. Those Suns want Butler. Miami isn’t going to be bullied into taking a bad trade just to dump Butler, and there are no offers good enough on the table. It has been that way for a while.
Most league sources NBC Sports has spoken with on this topic think Butler will remain with the Heat past the Feb. 6 trade deadline and into the summer. He will likely opt into the $52.4 million he is owed next year, and…
NBC Sports
