Public statements by Jimmy Butler or official Miami Heat press releases

35-Year-Old Jimmy Butler, 6-Time All-Star, Requests Trade from Miami Heat Amid $52M Option

Jan 3, 2025, 05:55 AM

Jimmy Butler, a 35-year-old six-time All-Star, has formally requested a trade from the Miami Heat, expressing a desire to play for any team other than Miami. This request follows Butler's public comments after a loss to the Indiana Pacers, where he stated his wish to regain his joy from playing basketball, indicating that such joy was unlikely to return while playing for the Heat. The tension between Butler and the Heat has been escalating, highlighted by Butler's dissatisfaction with his role and performance on the court. Despite the Heat's earlier stance that they would not trade Butler, his recent actions and comments have intensified the situation, leading to speculation about potential trade destinations and the future of Butler's tenure with the team. Butler has a $52 million player option for next season.