NBA Rumors: Heat Don’t See Celtics As ‘Invincible’ Amid Jimmy Butler Trade Buzz | News, results, highlights, stats and rumours

The Miami Heat navigate Jimmy Butler’s pursuit reported desire a trade under the impression they can beat the Boston Celtics for a title this spring, according to CBS Sports’ Bill Reiter.

According to Reiter, the Heat recognize that the Celtics are the best team in the East, but do not see them as invincible.

Reiter noted that the Heat believe staying out of the play-in round, where the team has competed for two consecutive seasons, is “critical” to their success in this playoff run.

The Heat may have to do without Butler. After the star said Thursday he wasn’t happy playing in Miami, ESPN’s Shams Charania and Brian Windhorst reported that Butler has “indicated” to the team that he wants a trade.

Charania and Windhorst reported that Butler “is open to playing anywhere other than Miami.”

According to Charania and Windhorst, “Butler plans to participate in all team activities and do whatever the Heat ask of him during this process.”

The report came just days after Heat president Pat Riley made a final decision declaration that the team would not trade Butler.

Butler has yet to record double-digit points in two contests coming off a five-game layoff, and he was visibly discouraged in his postgame interview following Thursday’s loss to the Indiana Pacers.

Should Butler’s public displeasure with the situation in Miami force Riley’s hand, the franchise’s view of themselves as title contenders will shape the return they will seek for Butler.

According to Reiter, the Heat decided in internal talks that the team is looking for “a key piece to help them win now” in a potential trade for Butler.

ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel recently reported that the Heat have expressed interest in Jonathan Kuminga during trade talks with the Golden State Warriors, but that the Warriors “have not been eager to include him in trade discussions.”

Charania previously reported that Butler’s agent had indicated he would prefer a trade to the Warriors, Houston Rockets or Dallas Mavericks, but the latest report from Charania and Windhorst says he is willing to be traded to any team.

While limited to trading with teams that could take on Butler’s $49 million salary for this season in addition to his $52 million player option for 2025-26, it would give the Heat maximum flexibility to find a trade that will boost their status as a candidate. before 6 Feb.