Report: Jimmy Butler requested trade from Heat because he felt they were moving in a direction without him in mind

March 13, 2025

According to NBA reporter Marc J. Spears of Andscape, Jimmy Butler requested a trade from the Miami Heat because he felt they were moving in a direction without him in mind.

Butler, who was suspended three times by the Heat during his trade request, was traded to the Golden State Warriors.

“Butler wanted to be traded because he felt the Heat were moving in a direction without him in mind and he wanted to be more valued, sources said,” Spears wrote. “The four-time NBA All-Star ended up asking for a trade from the Heat in his seventh season with the franchise.”

Butler agreed to terms on a two-year, $112 million contract extension with Golden State that runs through the 2026-27 season after he was traded by Miami.

One of the top two-way players in the NBA, Butler is averaging 17.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.7 assists with the Warriors.

“I’m here now. The organization is great, the guys are great, winning is great and we do any and everything that it takes to win here,” Butler said. “So that’s what makes my mental so great. We’re winning again. I love the spirit that surrounds. There’s no talking about myself, which is great. Let me go drink my coffee, play my dominoes and leave me alone.”

Golden State is 12-1 in games Butler has played. The team is in sixth place in the Western Conference standings with a record of 37-28.

“I saw a group that wanted me to be a part of it,” Butler said. “That’s all you ever wanted to be is wanted in this life, not just in this league. In anything, you want to be wanted. Needed is like a necessity. Wanted is like somebody’s choosing to bring you aboard this. I think that’s the ultimate sign of respect.

“I talked to both [Stephen Curry and Draymond Green], but I’ve talked to both of them for a while. But they said, ‘We can do something special. We need what you bring. The winning mentality, the hard nose on both sides of the ball.’ I think that’s what you want. That’s what they told me that I bring.”