Insider cites reasoning for not trading Jimmy Butler as Miami Heat look to maximize value

Jimmy Butler's situation in Miami has been one of the biggest storylines of the 2024-25 NBA season. A divorce between the six-time All-Star and the Miami Heat appears imminent despite Heat officials and Butler's agent declining the rumors of a potential trade.

As one NBA insider pointed out, though, Miami has no obligation to trade Butler and could ultimately let him walk instead of shipping him off for any assets to make a deal work around his $48 million cap hit. Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix argued that there is no incentive for the Heat to move Butler ahead of February's trade deadline.

"I get why (Jimmy Butler) wants a trade. He wants half a season to show a new team he's worthy of an extension. But Miami has no incentive to trade him. The cap flexibility they get if he walks could be just as valuable as any assets they can get for him."

Butler is reportedly seeking somewhere in the ballpark of a two-year $113 million deal,, though he is under contract through next season with a $52 million player option.

Jimmy Butler requested a trade from the Heat on Friday

On Friday, Jimmy Butler reportedly requested a trade from the Heat, according to Shams Charania and Brian Windhorst of ESPN. Per these reports, Butler won't give the front office a list of preferred destinations, as he feels he can make any team a contender.

Butler is slowly falling out of rotation in Miami, having sat the entire fourth quarter of each of their contests this week. Following Miami's 128-115 loss versus the Indiana Pacers on Thursday, Butler was candid during his post-game press conference.

“I want to see me getting my joy back playing basketball. Wherever that may be, we’ll find out here pretty soon,” Butler said.

“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.”

When asked if that could be achieved in Miami, Butler responded:

"Probably not."

The five-time All-NBA wing has taken issue with his recent usage on the floor and has grown increasingly frustrated due to being left out of the game plan. In 21 games this season, Butler's usage rate is at its lowest mark since 2014-15, his fourth season in the NBA, despite an elevated player efficiency rating from last season.

Butler is averaging 18.0 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 31.0 minutes per game, the fewest he's played since his second season in the NBA in 2012-13.