Heat's $11,501,537 forward throws major shade at Jimmy Butler as trade saga continues

The Miami Heat-Jimmy Butler trade saga is dragging on as the Feb. 6 trade deadline approaches. Following the Heat's 106-96 road victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday, forward Nikola Jovic spoke to the media.

A short clip of his comment was taken to be a not-so-subtle jab at Butler, who was absent for the win due to a team suspension and might be leaving soon. Jovic, who is on a four-year contract worth $11,501,537, according to Spotrac, suggested the Heat's young core is capable of succeeding on its own.

Jimmy Butler was serving the second of a two-game suspension, games that the Heat have split, including a 125-96 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday. Jovic said the following with a grin:

“I feel like we got enough talent, we have this youth. I think we're going to show people that we're worth watching.”

Against the Nets, the Miami Heat's young duo of Tyler Herro and Nikola Jovic combined for 32 points. Jovic, who came off the bench, finished with 17 points, six rebounds and four assists.

The Heat-Butler trade saga got intense once again when Butler was suspended for two games for the second time this month. The Heat claimed it was due to a "continued pattern of disregard of team rules, insubordinate conduct and conduct detrimental to the team."

With the market appearing quiet, the Phoenix Suns appear to be the only team seriously interested in the services of the six-time All-Star. However, the only stumbling block to the move is that the Suns are yet to find a way to move Bradley Beal to a third team as the Heat appear uninterested in taking back Beal's contract with a no-trade clause.

Butler has made his intentions clear that he wants out of Miami, and the team is willing to accommodate his request. With potential trade scenarios involving the LA Lakers and Memphis Grizzlies, the latter have turned into the dark horse in the sweepstakes, although Butler has reportedly expressed his reluctance to suit up for them.

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NBA executive speaks on Miami Heat-Jimmy Butler trade saga

With the Phoenix Sun dealing their 2031 first-round pick for three future firsts, an unnamed assistant NBA GM spoke to Spotrac's Keith Smith on what a Jimmy Butler trade would involve:

"We have a deal basically done, but the other team could be in a four- or five-team trade involving Butler. So, they need to hold for now. So, yeah, that's going to be such a big trade that we all just have to wait it out."

The deal to move Jimmy Butler away from the Heat could take five teams to pull off. Such a scenario isn't new in the NBA as the Dallas Mavericks acquired Klay Thompson from the Golden State Warriors via a six-team trade last July.