Report: Jimmy Butler 'ready for exit' from Miami

Field Level Media|published: Wed 25th December, 11:27 2024

Feb 29, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) reacts after a play in the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Six-time All-Star Jimmy Butler is "ready for his exit" and prefers that the Miami Heat trade him before the Feb. 6 deadline, ESPN reported Wednesday.

Reports have been swirling for weeks regarding the 35-year-old veteran's future in Miami, where he has played since the 2019-20 season.

ESPN previously reported that the Heat have been listening to trade offers, and that Butler wants to land with a contending team like the Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks or Houston Rockets.

The Heat (14-13) entered Wednesday in sixth place in the Eastern Conference.

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.

Butler has averaged 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.

--Field Level Media