**Jimmy Butler Likely Staying with Miami Heat Amidst Trade Speculation**
Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler is expected to stay with the team despite months of speculation about his future. Though Butler hasn’t reached a max extension agreement with the Heat, he reportedly will not seek a trade this offseason.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, on the Pat McAfee Show, indicated that Butler plans to remain in Miami next season even without an extension. Windhorst mentioned, “From what I understand, Jimmy Butler plans to be back with the Miami Heat next year even if there’s no extension… There’s teams that have definitely asked if he’s looking to get out, and he’s said I’m good in Miami.”
Butler has a player option for the 2025-2026 season and could find himself in a similar position as superstars James Harden and Paul George. If he stays healthy and leads Miami to another deep playoff run, it will be difficult for Pat Riley and the Heat management to deny him a big payday.
Riley has stated that he is not currently considering an extension, as mentioned after the team’s first-round exit against the Boston Celtics: “We don’t have to do that for a year. We have not discussed that internally right now but we have to look at making that kind of commitment.”
Despite the lack of extension plans, Riley does not intend to trade Butler. Teams like the Philadelphia 76ers and Golden State Warriors were interested in Butler, but he appears committed to staying in Miami.
Butler, a five-time All-NBA player, will enter his sixth season with the Heat alongside Bam Adebayo, who recently signed a three-year, $166 million extension. The Heat aim to rebound from their disappointing 2024 season and contend for the Larry O’Brien Trophy with Butler leading the charge.
