Jimmy Butler rejoined the Miami Heat’s line-up following his 7-game suspension last Friday in a 133-113 loss to the Denver Nuggets. He was also on the floor in Sunday’s 128-107 victory against the San Antonio Spurs. Butler was unimpressive in both of those games. Many fans even felt that he has looked disinterested, as he seeks a Miami exit before the trade deadline. According to Tim Bontemps on ESPN, Butler said after his return: “I guess it’s basketball at this point.
I know what I’m expected to do while I’m here and try to do that to the best of my ability, but we are where we are.” The Heat and Butler don’t seem to have a future together. While there have been rumours about the organization letting this saga run down until the summer, it seems that they are actually trying to find a trade for the 35-year-old before the deadline and the preference is for an immediate separation.
According to Zach Bachar on Bleacher Report, Marc Stein wrote: “Butler is indeed an active member of the Heat once again, but league sources stress that Miami is determined to keep exploring trade possibilities between now and the Feb. 6 trade deadline amid real concerns that there is a considerable amount of season left to navigate to co-exist for two parties that would prefer an immediate separation.” With Butler’s future uncertain for even the 2024-25 season, the Heat are going to face a bit of an uphill battle to make a postseason run.
Butler has a $52.4M player option in his contract for next season which he could decline in the offseason to become a free agent. As a result, the Heat may need to trade the 6-time All-Star before next month’s trade deadline to get something in return for him. Unfortunately for the Heat, finding a team ready to take on Butler’s contract will not be simple. A potential deal will likely have to include three or four teams, which will make things even more difficult.
As the NBA trade deadline approaches, multiple teams have been linked to Butler, including the Phoenix Suns, Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers, and Golden State Warriors. The Suns are probably the most likely landing spot for Butler. They need someone to breathe new life into their faltering season as they sit 10th in the West with a 21-21 record.
