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While Jimmy Butler rumors and headlines dominate the NBA conversation, there may not be a trade in the near future.
Sam Amick The Athletic reported Thursday that the Miami Heat are “willing” to remain patient with the entire situation in order to “maximize” the return on any potential trade.
“In light of Butler’s trade request and subsequent suspension, team officials have told Heat players that the possibility of the 35-year-old, six-time All-Star returning to the court with them after his suspension is the most likely next step,” Amick added.
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Miami is reportedly exercising patience, but there’s also the real question of leverage and what kind of offers they’ll even get.
The team suspended for seven games and has openly said he is open to trade discussions, meaning opposing clubs know there is a desire to move on from the five-time All-NBA selection.
Moving him this season would also mean the Heat got something in return before potentially leaving during the offseason anyway since he has a $52.4 million player option for 2025-26.
With that as background, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported during Tuesday’s episode First Take that the Heat have received offers that “stink” so far.
“We’re at a real impasse. I don’t know how it’s going to play out,” Windhorst said. “The Heat are internally preparing for this to last beyond the suspension, not because they have some kind of sinister motive, but because they know the offers they’ve gotten and they stink. So that’s where we are now.”
First Take @FirstTake
“Jimmy Butler isn’t going to sign an extension with any team. And so, because teams know that, they’re offering the Heat exactly that on a plate. There’s only one team willing to pay Jimmy Butler exactly what he wants, and that’s the Phoenix Suns.”
—@WindhorstESPN pic.twitter.com/q8LZLPOFOV
The insider also explained that the impasse can largely be traced to the team’s failure to sign Butler to a contract extension this past offseason.
The lever also served as the background of the bathtub Sam Vecen The Athletic reported Sunday that “league sources who have been speculating about Butler’s landing spot around the NBA have struggled to come up with a deal they feel makes sense for everyone involved.”
Without a natural landing spot in trade discussions, the situation could be destined to drag on throughout the season.
Amick noted that “one prominent Heat player wondered aloud whether this sensitive situation could continue past the Feb. 6 trade deadline — into the summer, and maybe even beyond.”
If Miami is patient and looks for a worthwhile return—which any team surely would want when dealing with a star player—then the situation is unlikely to resolve itself anytime soon with potential suitors sure to drop offers low in an effort to bide their time. suspensions.
