MIAMI — Jimmy Butler has announced his intention to return to the Miami Heat for their game on Wednesday against New Orleans. After recovering from a significant illness that kept him sidelined for over a week, Butler feels ready to rejoin his team.
However, amidst ongoing trade rumors, Butler remains uncertain about his long-term future with the Heat. When asked about his desire to stay in Miami, Butler provided a vague response. “It’s a good question. Who knows? I don’t,” he said. “But right now, I’m here. So, I’m going to make the most of it. I am going to compete, and I am going to win.” He addressed the swirling speculation with enthusiasm, stating that he enjoys the buzz surrounding his situation, indicating that it keeps people interested and engaged.
Butler’s situation has been under scrutiny for months. He opted not to sign an extension worth up to $113 million over two years during the previous summer. Trading rumors intensified about three weeks ago when reports surfaced that the Heat were open to trade offers for Butler. Additionally, a Christmas report suggested that he prefers to be traded before the February 6 deadline, with several team options such as Golden State and Dallas mentioned. However, Butler did not confirm those details. “Does it matter? Does it? I don’t think so,” he remarked, emphasizing that his focus remains on playing basketball.
In his six seasons with the Heat, Butler has led the team to two NBA Finals appearances and is currently averaging 18.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.9 assists in 20 games this season. The Heat’s record reflects his importance: they are 11-9 when he plays and only 5-5 when he doesn’t.
Recently, Heat President Pat Riley broke the team’s usual policy of not commenting on trade rumors. In a statement, he made it clear that the team has no intention of trading Butler, despite the possibility of him leaving as a free agent this summer, which includes a $52 million player option for the next season. “All this speculation has become a distraction,” Riley said, reinforcing that they are committed to keeping Butler on the team.
Butler has also made efforts to play in as many games as he can, despite recent struggles with health. He recalled an attempt to participate in a game against Oklahoma City on December 20, where he ended up aggravating an ankle injury, which was compounded by the illness he had been fighting. “I was pretty messed up,” he conceded. “But I wanted to compete because I actually do want to play as many games as possible.”
Despite all the rumors surrounding his future, Butler has not requested a trade and seems content with his current situation. He trusts the organization’s decision-making, asserting, “That’s up to Pat and them. They’re going to do what’s best for the organization, as they should.” He expressed his current happiness, stating, “As long as I’m happy, and right now I’m happy, I’m in a good space. I’ve got my kids here, I’m healthy, I’m smiling. I promise you, I’m happy.”
