Miami Heat President Pat Riley has firmly dismissed recent rumors about Jimmy Butler wanting to leave the team. In a statement issued on Thursday, Riley responded to an ESPN report by Shams Charania, which suggested that Butler may prefer a trade before the February 6 deadline. Riley expressed his discontent with the ongoing speculation, stating that it has become a distraction for the players and coaches. “We usually don’t comment on rumors,” Riley said, “but we want to clarify: We are not trading Jimmy Butler.”
According to Charania, although Butler is not formally requesting to be traded, he has shown interest in joining championship-contending teams such as the Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, and Houston Rockets. Despite the buzz surrounding his potential departure, Riley’s clear stance reassures fans and teammates alike that Butler will remain with the Heat.
Currently, the six-time All-Star is contributing significantly, averaging 18.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game this season. Butler has been a pivotal player for the Heat since signing with them in 2019, leading the team to the postseason in five out of six seasons, including two NBA Finals appearances.
However, it’s worth noting that the Heat and Butler could not reach a contract extension this summer, and there are reports that Butler does not intend to exercise his $52 million player option, which would make him a free agent come July.
As the Miami Heat navigate these dynamics, fans can remain hopeful that their star player continues to lead the team towards success. The commitment from the organization to keep Butler illustrates their determination to build a competitive roster capable of contention in the upcoming seasons.