Jimmy Butler has been a key player for the Miami Heat, but things seem off lately. Injuries and missed games have hurt his consistency, with Butler missing 26% of games in his five seasons with the team.
At 35, the Heat might be losing trust in him, which has led to strong trade reports. It seems Butler and the team don’t see eye to eye on what’s next.
NBA insider Shams Charania revealed that Jimmy Butler hasn’t extended his contract with the Miami Heat due to trade talks and the team’s hesitation about a long-term deal. Butler, who wants to stay in Miami, isn’t looking to leave, but the Heat are exploring other options.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst shared a similar view, saying Butler likely wants to stay and sign an extension. On First Take, Windhorst said, “From what I understand, I think Jimmy Butler’s preference would be to sign an extension in Miami.”
Jimmy Butler would prefer to sign an extension in Miami, but Pat Riley has not shown interest in making it happen, per @WindhorstESPN
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) December 12, 2024
(h/t @FirstTake )
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He added, “He had hoped to do that actually last summer, but Pat Riley came out at the end of last season and said that’s not what the Heat are doing. And they still haven’t made any progress on that. I think that’s what he would like to do. I think he would like to stay there.”
Jimmy Butler addresses the trade rumors
Jimmy Butler, a six-time All-Star, is no stranger to trade rumors. Recent talks suggest he could be traded, as the Miami Heat seem open to offers for their veteran star.
If traded, Butler prefers joining a championship contender, with the Warriors, Mavericks, and Rockets reportedly on his shortlist. However, when asked about the trade rumors and his future with the Heat, Butler simply said, “Who knows?”
Jimmy Butler on trade rumors:
— Cyro Asseo (@CyroAsseo) December 11, 2024
"I actually like it. Its good to be talked about… Somebody talking about me being traded, it's a lot. " pic.twitter.com/oaQ4vCMI9F
For now, his focus is clear: staying healthy and competing. Butler shared, “My kids matter, my happiness matters, my well-being matters and my family matters. Right now, it’s all about competing, staying healthy, playing some great basketball. I think I’ve done that so far, so we’ll see what we got.”
