"Does it matter?" - Jimmy Butler delivers unfiltered opinion on potential Miami Heat exit

Ahead of the Feb. 6 NBA trade deadline, there has been tons of talk surrounding Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler. After the two sides entered into this season without an extension in place, a rift began to form within the organization. Although Pat Riley, Miami's president, has said that the organization won't be trading Butler, that's done little to quell trade rumors.

Ahead of Wednesday's showdown between the Heat and the New Orleans Pelicans, which will be Butler's first game back since Dec. 20, he spoke with members of the press following Tuesday's practice.

When asked whether or not he wanted to be traded, Jimmy Butler didn't mince words, saying that in the end, it doesn't matter what he wants. With Pat Riley saying that he won't be trading the six-time All-Star, he's embracing the mindset that everything is out of his control.

"Does it matter (what I want)? I don't think so," Butler said. "All of that is out of my control anyways. I'm here, I'm hooping."

As Butler looks to get back on the court, his return couldn't come at a better time for the Heat as the team will be without Terry Rozier when they take the court Wednesday night against New Orleans.

"We want Jimmy bere": Heat coach Erik Spoelstra makes it clear that he wants Jimmy Butler to stay in Miami

Earlier in the week, trade rumors were flying in every direction as fans and media members theorized where Jimmy Butler might land before the Feb. 6 deadline. Because of that, Miami coach Erik Spoelstra wound up getting asked about the situation by members of the press.

In response, Spoelstra took the opportunity to make it clear that he and the rest of the team want Butler in Miami. Ira Winderman of The Miami Herald relayed Spoelstra's comments on the matter:

"That’s just the deal. You have to compartmentalize in this business. We want Jimmy here. There’s no ifs, ands or buts about it. And it’s just unfortunate that you have to control or deal with a lot of the noise on the outside.

"That’s all I’m going to talk about. The more any of us talk about it, the more fuel it gets. It’s just really unfortunate that it just continues to build momentum outside of our building."

Considering Butler hasn't formally requested a trade, and Pat Riley has made it clear that he has no intentions of trading Butler right now, the two sides may put their differences aside in pursuit of an NBA title.

With Butler facing a $52 million player option this summer, only time will tell whether the Heat look to unload Butler before the Jun. 29 opt-in date.