Despite having won three straight games to move into fifth place in the Eastern Conference, the Miami Heat could be set to shake things up.
According to a report from ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Heat “are open to listening to offers” for star forward Jimmy Butler.
The 35-year-old has continued to produce in his sixth season with Miami, averaging 19 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.2 steals per game on 55.7-per-cent shooting from the field. However, Butler is poised to opt out of his contract at the end of the season by declining a $52 million player option for 2025-26, per Charania.
Butler is reportedly open specifically to a trade to the Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks and Golden State Warriors but, above all, prefers a deal to a win-now contender.
Charnia said that “the Warriors are looking to add a star player — a playmaker, scorer — alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green.”
The six-time All-Star originally signed with the Heat on a four-year, $140-million contract in 2019 before agreeing to a four-year, $184-million extension in 2021.
Butler has guided Miami to the post-season in each of his five seasons with the team, but wasn’t able to play in last year’s first-round loss to the Boston Celtics due to an MCL sprain. The Heat made it to the NBA Finals in 2019-20 and 2022-23.
Over his 14 years in the NBA, Butler has been on an All-NBA team five times, an All-NBA defender five times, as well, and won the 2014-15 Most Improved Player award while suiting up for four different franchises.
The Heat are back in action on Thursday when they host the Toronto Raptors. You can watch that game on Sportsnet 360 and Sportsnet East or stream the action on Sportsnet+. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT.
