After taking a leave of absence due to illness, Jimmy Butler returned to the Miami Heat on New Year's Day to face off against the New Orleans Pelicans. The very next day, Butler again joined the team in their matchup against the Indiana Pacers. By the time both games were though, it became clear that whatever illness Butler was dealing with, he was still sick. Sick of playing for the Miami Heat that is.
Butler addressed the media after the Heat's loss to the Pacers in a surreal two-minute press conference during which he left quite the impression. Among the highlights, Butler was asked what he wanted to see happen to fix his situation in Miami, to which he replied quite candidly.
"I want to see me getting my joy back playing basketball. Wherever that may be, we'll find out here pretty soon," Butler said. "I'm happy here off the court but I want to be back to somewhat dominant, I want to hoop and I want to help this team win, and right now I'm not doing it."
This preceded a report by ESPN's Shams Charania, which connected Butler's comments to information from a source that stated Butler has "indicated to the Miami Heat he wants the team to trade him."
Jimmy Butler's trade request reignites the rumor mill surrounding the Miami Heat
As for where Butler would like to play, it's not as simple as past situations such as James Harden leaving Brooklyn for Philadelphia or Kevin Durant leaving Brooklyn for Phoenix or Mikal Bridges leaving Brooklyn for the Knicks—sorry Brooklyn. However, it may be easier for Miami to find a paletable trade as Butler does not appear deadset on his next home, just that it is not with the Heat.
Per Charania's report, "Butler does not plan to furnish the Heat with a list of favored destinations, sources told ESPN. He is open to playing anywhere other than Miami and believes he can make any team a contender—no matter where he is moved. He does plan to take part in all team activities and do whatever the Heat ask of him during this process, sources said."
This isn't the first time that Charania has suggested that Butler would prefer to be traded. Effectively dating back to the spring of 2024, Butler had been seeking an extension with the team; however, the front office refused to budge on the matter as Butler had two full seasons remaining on his current deal—one of which being a player option. Heat president Pat Riley announced the team would not extend Butler's contract before the 2024-25 season, and the rumblings began shortly thereafter.
Butler has since been connected to the Golden State Warriors, the Dallas Mavericks, the Houston Rockets, and the Phoenix Suns as mock trades have flown furiously. That only figures to increase following this latest development.