Heat president Pat Riley says Miami won’t trade Jimmy Butler

On By Littum

Miami Heat president Pat Riley has made it clear: The team is not letting go of Jimmy Butler just yet.

On Thursday, Riley responded to a report by ESPN’s Shams Charania that Butler wanted to be traded, saying the team does not plan to trade him.

“We don’t usually comment on rumours, but all this speculation has become a distraction for the team and is not fair to the players and coaches,” Riley said in a statement released by the team on Thursday. “That’s why we want to make it clear: We are not trading Jimmy Butler.”

Charania reported Wednesday that Butler “prefers” a trade away from Miami before the Feb. 6 trade deadline, but that he had not officially requested a trade. Charania had reported that Miami was open to offers for Butler, who was eyeing potential championship teams like the Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets.

Riley’s statement saying the team will not trade Butler did not clarify whether the 35-year-old forward had discussed or desired a trade.

Butler, a six-time All-Star, has been with the Heat since 2019 and has led the team to the postseason in five of his six full seasons, including two trips to the NBA Finals.

Butler is currently averaging 18.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.9 assists this season.

Miami and Butler were unable to agree on a contract extension this summer, and Charania reported Wednesday that Butler does not plan to exercise his $52 million player option, which would make him a free agent in July.