Pat Riley says Heat are not trading Jimmy Butler

Field Level Media|published: Thu 26th December, 14:12 2024

Dec 16, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) walks off the court after the game against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Six-time All-Star Jimmy Butler isn't going anywhere, Miami Heat team president Pat Riley announced Thursday.

"We usually don't comment on rumors, but all this speculation has become a distraction to the team and is not fair to the players and coaches," Riley said in a statement. "Therefore, we will make it clear -- We are not trading Jimmy Butler."

Multiple media outlets have been reporting for weeks that Butler's days are numbered in South Beach, where the 35-year-old veteran swingman has played since the 2019-20 season.

ESPN reported on Christmas that Butler was "ready for his exit" and preferred to be dealt before the Feb. 6 trade deadline. The report also said the Heat had been listening to trade offers.

Butler is earning $49 million this season and has a $52 million player option for the 2025-26 campaign, which he reportedly intends to decline to become a free agent in July.

Entering Thursday, Butler is averaging 18.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.9 assists in 20 games (all starts) this season while shooting a career-best 55.2 percent from the field.

Butler missed the Heat's last two games with a stomach illness and is listed as doubtful for Thursday night's game against the Orlando Magic.

Butler has career averages of 18.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 834 games (729 starts) with the Chicago Bulls (2011-17), Minnesota Timberwolves (2017-18), Philadelphia 76ers (2018-19) and Heat. He was selected to the All-Star Game in 2015-18, 2020 and 2022.

--Field Level Media