Amid the rumors of Jimmy Butler wanting out of Miami, Heat President Pat Riley has released a statement regarding the situation.
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Breaking: Six-time NBA All-Star Jimmy Butler prefers a trade out of Miami ahead of the Feb. 6 deadline, league sources told @ShamsCharania. pic.twitter.com/GpAI2BM9rf
— ESPN (@espn) December 25, 2024
"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. Therefore, we will make it clear — We are not trading Jimmy Butler."
From @MiamiHEAT — they’re *not* trading Jimmy Butler. pic.twitter.com/dEbs7tyXi5
— Trish Christakis (@TrishChristakis) December 26, 2024
In view of Butler being upset, it may be for a couple different reasons.
According to multiple sources, "Butler has been disappointed with the Heat primarily because Miami declined to give him a two-year, $113 million contract extension this past summer, a deal that would have run through the 2026-27 season" (per Miami Herald).
Miami Herald sportswriter Barry Jackson reported that Riley's comments about telling Butler to 'keep his mouth shut' at the end of last season may have also not sat well with the star player.
Jimmy Butler is unhappy with the Miami Heat organization and was reportedly caught off guard when Pat Riley made comments telling him to keep his mouth shut. Butler was also disappointed that Riley never denied the Miami Heat’s openness to trading him, per @flasportsbuzz
“A… pic.twitter.com/2MKR9M6B1f
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) December 25, 2024
"A source said that Butler was caught off guard when Heat president Pat Riley, during a May news conference, scolded him for saying that 'Boston would be at home' and 'New York damn sure would be [expletive] at home.'"
Pat Riley on Jimmy Butler: “If you're not on the court playing, you should keep your mouth shut.” pic.twitter.com/BorsYtOu8J
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) May 6, 2024
"According to a source, Butler was also disappointed that the Heat did not publicly deny a Dec. 10 ESPN report that Miami was open to trading him. Butler recently skipped the Heat's annual Christmas party at Riley's home, but a source cautioned not to read anything into that because he has missed the party several times previously."
Butler in his 14th NBA season is averaging 18.5 points per game on a career-high 55.2% FG in 20 games this season.
Related: Jimmy Butler's Agent Gives NSFW Response To Trade Rumors