NBA Rumors: Celtics Rival Near Breaking Point With Jimmy Butler?
Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler isn’t changing his mind anytime soon.
The 35-year-old went from the topic of trade rumors to the recipient of a seven-game suspension from Miami due to conduct deemed “detrimental.” The Heat haven’t found a solution amid the ongoing drama and through it all, Butler has remained adamant about his stance, leaving the rest up to Miami’s front office.
Butler, perhaps impatient with the process, even took things a step further with the Heat.
“Sources say Jimmy Butler told Pat Riley to his face that he wants to be traded, that he will never again sign a contract in Miami,” ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Tuesday. “And if he has to utilize his $52 million player option in the offseason, it will only be used as a trade maneuver. This all leads to the Heat facing a decision near the end of this week. Do you bring Jimmy Butler back to this team? Do you reach a trade for him? Do you find a settlement to continue to have him stay away from the team?”
Miami’s presumed soon-to-be sour breakup with Butler sparked when ESPN’s Christmas Day report revealed the six-time All-Star wanted out, and craved a trade either to the Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors or Houston Rockets. Butler has since doubled down on multiple instances, doing everything in his power to force Miami’s hand and strike a deal.
Inadvertently, a Butler trade could remove Miami’s chances at mustering up its latest underdog run in the Eastern Conference.
The Heat, currently 20-18, are in seventh place in the East and are just barely flirting with contention. Meanwhile, teams such as the Detroit Pistons, Atlanta Hawks and Chicago Bulls sit directly in Miami’s rearview mirror with 2.5 games separating the Heat from the No. 7 seed and the No. 10 seed.
Butler, in his sixth season with the organization, is averaging 17.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.7 assists on 52.2% shooting from the field and 37.5% from 3-point range. That’s a more-than-serviceable level of production from Butler, which will surely generate interest from teams across the league looking to sneak into the playoffs and dethrone the reigning champion Celtics.
It’ll also allow Miami to avoid receiving zero compensation for Butler’s departure, and snag a potential consolation prize before Riley and the front office begin seeking newcomers to play alongside Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro.
The NBA trade deadline is set for Feb. 6 at 3 p.m. ET, less than four weeks away.