Jimmy Butler has made it clear that he wants out of the Miami Heat, citing a desire to regain his joy for playing basketball. The six-time All-Star’s comments during a postgame news conference after Thursday’s 128-115 loss to the Indiana Pacers were unusually candid and raised questions about his future with the team.
Butler, who is in the final year of his contract with a $49 million salary plus a $52 million player option for next season, expressed frustration over his role in the game. He said he wants to be “somewhat dominant” and help the team win, but feels he’s not doing that currently. When asked if he believes he can regain his joy for playing in Miami, Butler responded with just two words: “Probably not.”
The tension between Butler and Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra has been building over time. Butler reportedly wants to play more at point guard to get “activated,” but the request was shot down by Spoelstra. The relationship between Butler and Heat president Pat Riley also appears to have deteriorated, with some sources suggesting that Riley’s decision not to extend Butler’s contract beyond this season was a major factor in his current frustration.
The NBA trade deadline is just over two months away, and Butler’s comments have made him a potential trade candidate. While he hasn’t provided a list of preferred destinations, it’s clear that he wants out of Miami and is open to playing anywhere. With the Heat struggling to find their footing this season, Butler’s desire for a change of scenery may prove to be an attractive option for other teams.
Source: https://sports.yahoo.com/jimmy-butler-loudly-signals-he-wants-trade-from-heat-i-want-to-get-my-joy-back-035529948.html