Jimmy Butler Requests Trade from Heat, Open to Any Team Ahead of Deadline

Jimmy Butler has requested a trade from the Miami Heat, signaling potential shifts ahead of the Feb. 6 deadline. Despite tensions, Butler remains committed to team activities for now.

Jimmy Butler informed the Miami Heat of his desire to be traded after his viral postgame press conference after the Heat's 128-115 loss to the Indiana Pacers. ESPN was the first to report the trade request.

Since returning from a five-game absence due to illness, Butler has appeared disengaged on the court. He has accumulated 18 points on 11 shot attempts across the past two games and did not play in the fourth quarter of either contest. In Thursday’s 128-115 loss to the Indiana Pacers, Butler scored nine points and recorded a team-worst minus-27 rating.

Following the game, Butler expressed dissatisfaction with his current role and outlook. It became apparent that the situation had become past salvaging.

“I want to see me get my joy back from playing basketball. Wherever that may be, we’ll find out here pretty soon,” Butler said. When asked if that could happen in Miami, he replied, “Probably not.”

Open to Any Team, Butler Seeks Fresh Start