Jimmy Butler trade rumors are flying around at warp speed around NBA social media. That’s fun. However, meaningful action towards a Butler trade is not moving fast. At all. Let’s break down where things stand with Butler.
Latest Jimmy Butler trade rumors and news
Miami is being patient. Both because that’s their nature as a franchise and because they can be in this situation if they don’t like the offers coming in — and so far, they do not.
Miami and team president Pat Riley suspended Jimmy Butler seven games after Butler obviously tried to quiet quit on the team a week ago, then told the media, “I want to see me getting my joy back playing basketball. Wherever that may be.” Butler then said it’s not going to be in Miami. He and his agent demanded a trade from Miami. Riley had seen the disruptive “trade me” Butler in Minnesota and made the pre-emptive strike.
Through his actions and statements, he has shown he no longer wants to be part of this team. Jimmy Butler and his representative have indicated that they wish to be traded, therefore, we will listen to offers.
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) January 4, 2025
The NBA players’ union has said it will appeal this suspension and likely will get Butler back some (if not all) of the $2.35 million he would lose during the suspension. However, the appeal process is slow and will not get Butler back on the team anytime soon.
That suspension does not mean the Heat are rushing things. At all. Here is what Sam Amick of The Athletic said of the Heat after spending time around the club recently.
The Heat are not about to be hurried or bullied into a bad deal. Even with the Heat’s desire to make a playoff push (they’re 19-17 and in sixth place in the East), Miami has all sorts of incentives to take its time — even if that means embracing all of the uncomfortableness that would come with a Butler return.
Miami is listening to trade offers but the ones they are getting — because Butler is age 35 with a lengthy injury history, and because teams know he can be a free agent next summer ($52.4 million player option) and walk if he wants — are lowball. Miami is not going to take…
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