Jimmy Butler loudly signals he wants trade from Heat: ‘I want my joy back’

On By Littum

Jimmy Butler wants out of the Miami Heat.

There’s not much more that can be said about the six-time All-Star after that a surreal two-minute news conference after the game following the Heat’s 128-115 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Thursday. Butler, playing in his second game since a five-game absence due to illness, scored nine points on 3-of-6 shooting, then sat down and addressed his role and future with the team.

When asked what he wants to see happen, Butler didn’t hold back:

“What do I want to see happen? I want to see me get my joy back playing basketball, and wherever that is, we’ll find out pretty quickly. I want my joy back. I’m happy here off the court, but I want to be back to something dominant, I want to help this team win. Right now I don’t.”

When asked if he believes he can recapture that joy in Miami, he responded with just two words: “Probably not.”

It was a tough game for Butler, who played a different role than his usual one in his six seasons with the Heat. Miami was outscored by 27 points in its 27 minutes on the court.

Butler did not have warm words for the new role:

“I felt great. I felt like I was focused. I felt like I was doing my job, or at least what my job is.”

He also didn’t sound excited about continuing to play that role with the Heat:

“That might be my role here. It’s not what I’m used to being. I haven’t been since my second, third year in the league just going out there and playing defense.”

And when told that Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra wanted him to play more to become more “activated,” Butler shot it down:

“That won’t fix it.”

It has apparently been a similar story behind the scenes, which ESPN reported Butler has actually indicated to the Heat that he wants a trade. He has reportedly not given a list of preferred destinations and is open to playing anywhere. However, there are no plans for a holdout.

Butler is in the final year of his contract with a salary of $49 million plus a $52 million player option for next season.

There has been smoke building surrounding Butler’s situation with the Heat for more than a week now. There was a report at Christmas that Butler would favor a trade from the Heat before the February deadline, although he had not made a formal request. Heat president Pat Riley vehemently rejected the idea, stating flatly, “We are not trading Jimmy Butler” in a statement.

Butler didn’t seem to agree as he basically shrugged when asked if he wants to stay with the Heat for the rest of the season. And then, two days later, he told the entire basketball world that he does not enjoy the game and does not think it can be solved in Miami.

MIAMI, FLORIDA - JANUARY 01: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat looks on against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second quarter of the game at the Kaseya Center on January 1, 2025 in Miami, Florida. NOTICE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and or using this photograph, User consents to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)MIAMI, FLORIDA - JANUARY 01: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat looks on against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second quarter of the game at the Kaseya Center on January 1, 2025 in Miami, Florida. NOTICE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and or using this photograph, User consents to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

Jimmy Butler no longer seems to be enjoying himself with the Miami Heat. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

According to ESPN, the issue centers on Butler’s relationship with Riley, which apparently became strained last spring when Riley announced Miami would not extend the star’s contract beyond this season. Then, after Butler missed the Heat’s first-round loss to the Boston Celtics last season and indicated Miami would have won with him, Riley said, “If you’re not on the court playing … you should shut up .”

Their relationship has reportedly not recovered in the time since.

This wouldn’t be the first time Butler has pursued an exit from a team after deciding his situation wasn’t working out, but the Heat had always seemed like an ideal match for the veteran. The results speak for themselves as the team has made the playoffs every season with him on board and the NBA Finals twice. Then again, the Heat fell to 17-15 Thursday and haven’t given much reason to expect anything better going forward, especially if Butler is in a role that doesn’t work for him.

The NBA trade deadline is Feb. 6, and Butler has just given plenty of reason for teams and fans to start firing up their offers.