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Miami Heat swingman Jimmy Butler has reportedly indicated to the team that he wants to be traded, league sources with knowledge of the situation confirmed to ESPN on Thursday (January 2).
Butler, 35, a six-time All-Star, is reportedly open to playing anywhere other than Miami and believes he can help a contender, the sources confirmed. The former All-Star reportedly plans to participate in all team activities and do whatever the team asks of him leading up to a potential trade.
Butler recorded nine points in the Heat's 128-115 loss to the Indiana Pacers Thursday (January 2) night before telling reporters that he lost his joy playing in Miami.
"I want to see me getting my joy back playing basketball. Wherever that may be, we'll find out here pretty soon," Butler said via ESPN. "I'm happy here off the court, but I want to be back to somewhat dominant, I want to hoop and I want to help this team win, and right now I'm not doing it."
Butler then responded "probably not" when asked if he could reclaim his joy playing with the Heat. Last month, Heat president Pat Riley said the franchise had no plans to trade Butler despite a reported trade request.
"We usually don't comment on rumors, but all this speculation has become a distraction to the team and is not fair to the players and coaches. Therefore, we will make it clear - We are not trading Jimmy Butler," Riley said in a statement shard on behalf of the Heat on December 26.
Miami is currently 17-15 and sixth in the Eastern Conference while Butler is averaging 17.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game.