Jimmy Butler Plans To Return To Heat On Thursday; Suns Trade Rumor Shot Down

January 15, 2025

Jimmy Butler is set to return to the Heat on Thursday after serving a seven-game suspension, and all eyes will be on his return when Miami hosts Denver on Friday in an NBA Finals rematch from 2023.

While there’s plenty of mystery surrounding the situation, a source close to Butler told Sam Amick of The Athletic that Butler plans to rejoin the team and fulfill his basketball duties.

After losing $2.35 million due to the suspension, his decision to come back should hardly be a surprise. However, whether he will actually take the court remains up in the air, with the possibility of him playing still uncertain.

On the trade front, talks involving Butler and Phoenix seem to be quiet for now. Bradley Beal’s agent, Mark Bartelstein, shot down any rumors linking Butler to the Suns, telling The Athletic that there has been no discussion between Miami and Phoenix regarding a potential deal.

He also emphasized that Beal, who has a no-trade clause, has no intention of waiving it to facilitate a Butler trade.

With Phoenix sitting at 19-20 and struggling to get things together, Butler remains a target for the Suns, but it’s clear that the Suns aren’t actively pursuing a move involving Beal or Butler at this moment.

Bartelstein further told Amick, “Brad’s complete focus is on helping the Suns win,” dismissing the rumors as “nonsense.”

What’s Next for Butler?

Assuming a deal with Phoenix is off the table, Butler’s future in Miami remains in focus. With a $52.4 million player option for next season, Butler could decide to explore other opportunities. But it’s unclear which teams might be willing to engage in trade talks for the star forward.

Despite some reports suggesting otherwise, sources told Amick that the Milwaukee Bucks have not been informed by Butler’s camp that he has any desire to avoid playing for them.