NBA Rumors: Jimmy Butler likely to commit to $52 million player option despite Heat drama

The writing on the wall states that the partnership between the Miami Heat and Jimmy Butler is coming to an end soon. The Heat suspended Butler for seven games on Jan. 4 for "conduct detrimental to the team" and he has so far missed four games because of it.

The expectation is that the Heat will use this time to look for a trade partner for the six-time All-Star. However, should a trade not occur, Butler could end up picking up his team option to remain in Miami according to league insider Bobby Marks.

Marks said on SiriusXM NBA Radio that despite rumors that Butler won't pick up his team option, the opposite could happen in case a trade fails to materialize.

"There's a strong likelihood that if (Jimmy Butler) is on this roster when we get past February 6," Marks said, "then he picks up that $52 million. I know it's been reported that he's gonna decline that option and become a free agent, but when you have $52 million on the table, you have to have a home to go to. So I think it will be more likely to opt in to the contract then see where you stand from a trade standpoint."

Jimmy Butler made his way to the Miami Heat from the Philadelphia 76ers in 2019 via a four-team trade that also involved the LA Clippers and the Portland Trail Blazers. In 2021, he signed a four-year extension reportedly worth $184 million.

The final year of his contract (2025-26) carries a player option, something that he will reportedly decline so he can enter free agency this summer. However, opting into that final year of his contract also means he'll get paid $52 million.

The relationship between Butler and the Heat front office seems to have soured over the past summer. This started when Miami failed to reach the playoffs after he got injured against the 76ers in the play-in tournament after Kelly Oubre Jr. inadvertently fell on his leg.

Later on, Butler was recorded saying that the Heat would have made a deep postseason run had he remained healthy. Team President Pat Riley was asked about Butler's comment, to which he replied by telling Butler to keep quiet if he isn't playing.

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Jimmy Butler's name commands the NBA's trade rumor mill

The trade deadline is less than a month away and it seems like Jimmy Butler is currently the favorite topic for trade-related news. He has mostly been linked to the Golden State Warriors and the Phoenix Suns but there have also been reports that the Milwaukee Bucks and the Memphis Grizzlies have some interest.

However, various league insiders have shared information that suggests a deal with these teams is not close to happening. Butler himself is reportedly not interested in joining the Grizzlies, according to Chris Haynes, and it was later revealed that the Bucks are in the same boat.

Meanwhile, Bradley Beal has a no-trade clause, which means a trade between the Suns and the Heat might not happen if Beal says so. League insider Marc J. Spears also reported that the Warriors are more interested in adding a big man instead of acquiring Jimmy Butler.

Butler has been a leader for the Heat since his arrival. He helped them reach the Finals on two occasions but ultimately failed to win a title. The first was in 2020 against the LA Lakers and again in 2023 against the Denver Nuggets.

Aside from reaching the Finals twice, the Heat have been a threat to the top teams in the Eastern Conference with Butler's leadership. The team doesn't always finish at the top of their conference, but they seem to have a way of upsetting higher-seeded teams in the playoffs.

Butler has averaged 21.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.7 steals since coming to Miami up until this point. However, he is putting up his lowest scoring average as a member of the Heat this season with 17.6 ppg.