Jimmy Butler Admits: ‘Probably Not’ Finding Joy with Miami as Trade Rumors Intensify

Jimmy Butler has opened up about his struggles on the basketball court, expressing a longing to rediscover his joy for the game. When asked if he could find that happiness with the Miami Heat, the six-time NBA All-Star responded bluntly: “Probably not.”

The tension between Butler and the Heat, which has been a topic of speculation in recent weeks, appeared to deepen after the team’s 128-115 loss to the Indiana Pacers. Butler, who scored just nine points, did not play in the fourth quarter for the second consecutive game, a situation that also occurred earlier in the week during a win over New Orleans.

Speaking candidly in a post-game press conference, Butler said, “I want to see me get my joy back from playing basketball. Wherever that may be—we’ll find out soon—but I want to get my joy back. I’m happy here off the court, but I want to be somewhere dominant. I want to hoop and help this team win. Right now, I’m not doing that.”

Though Butler has not formally requested a trade, reports indicate he prefers to be moved before the February 6 trade deadline. Despite this, the Heat have publicly stated they have no intention of trading him. The team’s reluctance to offer Butler a contract extension—despite his eligibility for a two-year, $182 million AUD deal last summer—adds to the uncertainty surrounding his future. Butler has a $84 million player option for next season but could leave in free agency if not traded.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra tried to reinvigorate Butler’s role by using him as a point guard in stretches against Indiana, but the experiment failed to yield results. Teammate Bam Adebayo acknowledged Butler’s frustrations but emphasized the team’s commitment to winning.

Despite the ongoing struggles, Butler remains determined. “I’m competing to win, whether I score nine points or 29 points,” he said. “My usage may be down, but you can’t say I don’t play hard.”