The Miami Heat’s Jimmy Butler era could be coming to a close.
The Heat are open to trading the six-time All-Star ahead of his expected foray into free agency next summer, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Butler reportedly prefers to land with a contender if dealt. His agent has signaled that the 35-year-old would be receptive, specifically, to a move to the Golden State Warriors, his hometown Houston Rockets, or the Dallas Mavericks, Charania reports.
The five-time All-NBAer’s contract contains a $52.4-million player option for next season; however, Butler has indicated he won’t exercise it in order to seek a new deal in 2025 as a free agent. He initially landed in Miami on a four-year, $140-million deal through a four-team sign-and-trade in 2019 and then extended that contract with a four-year, $184-million agreement in 2021.
Butler missed four straight matchups in mid-November with a sprained right ankle but has looked comfortable since, putting up 21.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and one steal per game in nine matchups following his return (he sat out against the Boston Celtics on Dec. 2 with a knee injury). He’s also been efficient yet selective from distance, converting seven of 12 attempts from deep after shooting two of 13 before his ankle injury.
The former Most Improved Player has arguably been most prolific with the Heat in the postseason, helping the club to two NBA Finals in its last five playoff trips. He averaged 26.9 points in 22 postseason contests in 2023 as Miami fell in five games to the Denver Nuggets in the Finals.
The Heat have won seven of their last 10 games and now sit fifth in the East with a 12-10 record, 7.5 games back of the first-place Cleveland Cavaliers.
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