MIAMI — The Miami Heat have listed Jimmy Butler as questionable for their upcoming game on Thursday against Orlando, indicating that he requires some time to regain his conditioning before he can return to play.
Butler did not travel with the squad to Orlando on Wednesday night, leaving his availability for future games somewhat ambiguous.
While Butler has not formally requested a trade from the Heat, sources reported on Wednesday that the six-time All-Star is seeking a trade ahead of the league’s February 6 deadline. He is reportedly interested in joining teams like Phoenix, Golden State, Houston, and Dallas.
Notably, the primary colors of those franchises’ uniforms include orange, yellow, red, and blue—colors that have also been mirrored in Butler’s hair in recent weeks.
“I actually like it,” Butler stated earlier this month when asked about the ongoing trade rumors. “It’s good to be talked about. I don’t think there’s such a thing as bad publicity — to a point.”
If Miami decides against trading Butler, they could face the risk of him departing as a free agent next summer without any compensation.
This development is the latest chapter in a long-standing situation concerning Butler’s future with the franchise, a narrative that has gained attention since May when Heat president Pat Riley was uncertain about granting Butler an extension over the summer.
Butler is eligible for a contract extension that would secure him $113 million for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 seasons. However, at 35 years old, he has a history of missing approximately one out of every four games during his time with the Heat.
“That’s a big decision on our part to commit those kinds of resources unless you have somebody who’s going to be there and available every single night,” Riley remarked in May. “That’s the truth.”
Riley further criticized Butler after the previous season for his claims that had he not injured himself in the play-in tournament, Miami would have triumphed against teams like Boston and New York.
“I thought, ‘Is that Jimmy trolling or is that Jimmy serious?’ If you’re not on the court playing against Boston or on the court playing against the New York Knicks, you should keep your mouth shut on the criticism of those teams,” Riley stated last spring.
Butler recently twisted his ankle during the Heat’s loss to Oklahoma City last Friday, causing him to miss that game as well as two subsequent matches against Orlando and Brooklyn. Although the ankle injury was cited, illness was noted as the actual cause for his absence.
Throughout his time with the Heat, Butler has played a crucial role in leading the team to the NBA Finals twice. Currently, he is averaging 18.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.9 assists in this season.
