Miami Heat’s Jimmy Butler is unavailable to play against the Orlando Magic on Thursday. The six-time NBA All-Star had issues with his conditioning prior to the game and was predicted to not suit up. Butler has missed the past two games with an unspecified illness, making this his eighth absence. His statistics have been impressive with an average of 18.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.9 assists, shooting at 55.2%. The Heat have a record of 3-4 without Butler.
His absence for Thursday’s game comes at a crucial time as he is surrounded by a plethora of trade rumors. NBA insider Shams Charania mentioned that Butler has not demanded a trade but is prepared for an eventual exit from the Heat. The relationship between Butler and the Heat started to deteriorate after the team failed to strengthen his supporting cast.
In the last three seasons, Miami has missed out on several top players, and the only significant addition has been Terry Rozier. Butler’s leadership has been instrumental in Heat’s playoff success, leading them to two finals and a conference finals finish. The ongoing trade rumors have intensified the speculation about his future with the team.
Miami Heat not showing urgency to trade Jimmy Butler
Despite the trade rumors, Jimmy Butler has remained dedicated and professional during his time with the Miami Heat. The team, seeing Butler’s commitment and performance, is reportedly not rushing to trade him. Butler has a valuable player option worth $52 million after this season, and both parties seem to understand its significance in the current situation.
If Butler decides to leave, his preferred landing spots, according to Shams Charania, are the Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, and Phoenix Suns. The Warriors and Rockets seem to be more likely destinations due to their assets and ability to make a trade work. Any potential trade negotiations will have a timeline leading up to the Feb. 6, 2025 trade deadline.
Edited by Arhaan Raje
