Despite the rumors that Jimmy Butler would be traded this season, Heat GM Pat Riley just shut those rumors down. He emphatically stated that the Heat weren't going to trade him this season. If he is to be believed, then that would take arguably the top trade target off the market ahead of the February 6th deadline.
Statement from Pat Riley
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) December 26, 2024
"We usually don't comment on rumors, but all this speculation has become a distraction to the team and is not fair to the players and coaches. Therefore, we will make it clear - We are not trading Jimmy Butler."
Miami not trading Butler is an odd decision considering that he will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. That means they could lose him for nothing if he doesn't re-sign with Miami. There is the possibility that another team would be able to work out a sign-and-trade for Butler with the Heat. However, there's no guarantee, meaning that they are taking a big risk by not trading him for assets now.
To Miami's credit, they are sixth in the Eastern Conference, and trading one of their best players for players on bad contracts and picks isn't how they operate. However, even if they were to climb a spot or two in the East playoff bracket, no one really believes that they would have a chance to topple the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, and New York Knicks. That being the case, what does Riley have to gain by not trading Butler?
What does the Miami Heat have to gain by not trading Jimmy Butler this season?
According to ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania, Butler wants to be traded this season, preferably to the Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns. That puts him at odds with Riley, with a rift between the two causing Butler to want to move on.
Had it not been for that, then Riley would probably be right to hold onto Butler through the season with the chance that a trade option will still be there this summer. There is still that possibility, but a team such as the Brooklyn Nets can sign him outright with him having previously been linked to them.
In that event, the Heat would be turning down the opportunity to possibly add rotation players and even a first-round pick to make one last run with Butler. If the Heat can hold on to their place in their standings or even improve upon their placement, then they would have a better opportunity for a first-round upset.
This opposed to them having to fight their way in in the play-in tournament. But unless they make a trade to improve their roster that doesn't involve Butler, it's hard to say what their plan is in Miami.