Jimmy Butler trade news: Insider reports real reasons behind 6x All-Star's desire to leave Miami

The Jimmy Butler trade saga intensified on Wednesday. Per ESPN's Shams Charania, the six-time All-Star "prefers a trade" away from the Miami Heat "ahead of the Feb. 6 NBA trade deadline." The insider also outlined Butler's motivations for his trade preference, including the Heat's failure to surround him with big-name players.

Midway through his sixth season with Miami, Butler has achieved extensive accomplishments with the franchise, including making two NBA Finals appearances. Nevertheless, he has been unable to secure a maximum contract extension.

The five-time All-NBA selectee has a $52.4 million player option for next season, which he could decline to become a free agent during the offseason. Thus, the Heat would risk losing him for nothing if they don't trade or extend him.

On Wednesday's edition of ESPN's "NBA Countdown," Charania reported on escalating tensions between the sides. Afterward, he noted that Butler's discontent with Miami stems from his unresolved contract situation.

"This has unraveled over the last several months, and it really started in the offseason (when) there was no extension for Jimmy Butler," Charania said (Timestamp: 0:51).

"They bypassed that, did not extend him, and they have leaned more into their young core, (their) rising core of Bam Adebayo, their All-Star, and Tyler Herro."

Charania added that Butler has grown frustrated with the Heat's consistent inability to land him high-profile "help" via trades and free agency.

"Over the last three years, Jimmy Butler has wanted the Heat to get him some help on that roster, they have just have not been able to land players," Charania said. "They've gone after Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard, Kyrie Irving. They have not been able to land that next big fish with Jimmy Butler."

After a third of the season, Miami (14-13) sits sixth in the Eastern Conference, 10.5 games behind the No. 1-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers (26-4). So, barring any substantial midseason deals, the organization appears firmly entrenched as a middle-of-the-pack team.

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Miami reportedly doesn't feel sense of urgency to trade Jimmy Butler

Despite Jimmy Butler's looming player option, according to Shams Charania, Miami isn't feeling pressured to trade him immediately. However, he noted that Butler is expected to have numerous trade suitors.

"There's not an urgency right now, from my understanding, in talks that the Heat are having, but other teams expect to engage with Miami ahead of the deadline," Charania said.

Per Charania, Butler's "preferred win-now destinations" are headlined by the Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns. Both teams don't have the cap space to sign him to a max deal in free agency. Therefore, Butler and the Heat could seemingly engage in a prolonged standoff leading up to the trade deadline.

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