Heat Reportedly Having Productive Trade Talks On Jimmy Butler

January 21, 2025

Jimmy Butler has returned to the Miami Heat, but his trade request is still very much alive and intensifying. Per ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania, Butler has “tripled down” on his desire to be moved, and there has been progress in trade discussions this week.

“I’m told the Heat have had some productive conversations on a potential Butler trade this week,” Charania said. “This is a big number to move — $49 million on his contract this year, $52 million player option for the offseason.

“So whatever deal ends up happening, whether it’s just a two-team trade, three-team trade, four-team trade… Really everything is a possibility.”

Butler, who has made it clear that he wants out of Miami, has indicated that his preferred landing spot is the Phoenix Suns. But there are significant challenges in making that deal work.

Phoenix is currently operating over the second tax apron, limiting its ability to aggregate contracts or take on more salary than it sends out. With Butler’s hefty contract, the Suns’ path to acquiring him is narrow, and any potential trade would likely require multiple teams to make the numbers work.

Despite the trade talks, Butler has continued to play for the Heat, showing up every game as expected.

“In the meantime, Jimmy Butler is clocking in. He’s playing basketball. The easiest way to put this is everyone in the building knows exactly what’s up,” Charania said.

While the Heat have not publicly given any indication that they are close to moving Butler, the ongoing trade discussions suggest that his exit could be a matter of time. Whether it’s a two-team deal or a more complex multi-team trade, the clock is ticking on Butler’s future in Miami.