According to ESPN, Jimmy Butler’s days in Miami might be numbered. The six-time All-Star has reportedly informed the franchise of his desire to be traded before the February 6 trade deadline.
The NBA 2024/25 trade market is currently centered on Jimmy Butler, and it will likely stay that way for the next month and a half. According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the six-time All-Star has informed the Miami Heat of his preference to be traded before the February 6 deadline. While this is not an official trade request, it suggests his time in Florida may be coming to an end.
The Heat and Butler, who led the team to the NBA Finals in 2020 and 2023, failed to reach a contract extension agreement last summer. At 35 years old, Butler has made it clear he does not plan to exercise the $52 million player option in his contract and intends to enter free agency in the summer of 2025.
Any team trading for him should consider that as well. Multiple teams have already contacted Miami to explore trade discussions, though the Heat do not appear to be in a rush to make a deal.
Butler’s Preferred Destinations
Reports suggest Butler has listed Phoenix, Golden State, Dallas, and Houston as his preferred landing spots, emphasizing his desire to compete for a title immediately rather than join a rebuilding team. However, it’s worth noting the source of this information: Shams Charania.
Just two weeks ago, Butler’s agent, Bernie Lee, criticized Charania, claiming that all reports about Butler were fabricated. Despite this, other journalists have also confirmed that a separation between Butler and the Heat seems likely after five and a half years together.
