Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler has indicated he wants out of the team he has led to two NBA Finals.
Butler said Thursday night that he had lost his joy playing in Miami.
“I want to see me getting my joy back playing basketball. Wherever that may be, we’ll find out here pretty soon,” he told reporters. “I’m happy here off the court, but I want to be back to somewhat dominant, I want to hoop and I want to help this team win, and right now I’m not doing it.”
Asked if he could get his joy back on the court with the Heat, Butler said, “Probably not.”
The six-time all-star’s comments came after the Heat lost to the Indiana Pacers 128-115, with Butler scoring just nine points. He had also scored just nine a day earlier against the New Orleans Pelicans.
ESPN reported later Thursday that Butler “has indicated to the Miami Heat he wants the team to trade him,” citing league sources. NBC News has not independently verified that reporting.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra has attributed the back-to-back lackluster performances in part to Butler’s two-week absence due to an illness.
But the comments about finding joy come amid souring relations with team management that have fueled weeks of speculation.
On Christmas Day, ESPN reported that Butler preferred a trade ahead of the Feb. 6 deadline. In response, Heat president Pat Riley issued a rare statement in which he said “We will make it clear — we are not trading Jimmy Butler.”
It’s unclear what happens now Butler has gone public with his unhappiness.
The Heat decided not to offer Butler a new contract before the 2024-25 season, when he was eligible for a two-year $113 million extension.
Butler missed the Heat’s first-round playoff series last season due to a knee injury. Following the team’s loss to the Boston Celtics, Butler indicated on social media that the team would’ve won the series had he been healthy.
“If you’re not on the court playing, you should keep your mouth shut,” Riley said in response.
Butler has indicated he’s open to playing anywhere other than Miami next, ESPN reported sources.
The 35-year-old, known for his combative two-way style and clutch playoff scoring, is in the final year of a $49 million contract and can become a free agent in July.
Astha Rajvanshi
