For we all know, Jimmy Butler is an outspoken guy.
Never afraid to speak his true feelings, Butler has been straight-forward throughout his NBA career whether for better or for worse.
But in his first Heat practice since missing five games due to an illness, the 35-year-old was not in his usual nature when asked about his intention to stay with Miami for the foreseeable future.
"That's a good question. Who knows? I don't, but right now I'm here, so I'm going to make the most of it,” Butler told reporters on Wednesday, January 1.
Jimmy Butler on if he wants to stay in Miami.
— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) December 31, 2024
“That’s a good question. Who knows? I don’t, but right now I’m here, so I’m going to make the most of it…” #HeatNation
Although he insisted that the ongoing trade rumors "doesn't bother [him] at all," the Heat superstar admitted it's "out of his control" whether he wanted to be traded as the reports indicated.
“Does it matter? Does it matter? … I honestly do not care about getting traded, where I’m supposed to go, who’s saying what. All of that is out of my control anyway,” the former NBA Most Improved Player said.
"Does it matter? Does it? I don't think so, all of that is out of my control anyways. ... I'm here, I'm hooping."
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 31, 2024
Heat star Jimmy Butler when asked if he wants to be traded 🗣?
(via @ZachWeinberger)
Butler spoke to the media for the first time since NBA insider Shams Charania reported that the 14-year veteran preferred to be traded ahead of the February 6 trade deadline.
Heat president Pat Riley then released a statement stating that Miami is not trading the superstar despite the ongoing uncertainty about his future with the team.
“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,” Riley said in a release distributed by the team.
“Therefore, we will make it clear — we are not trading Jimmy Butler,” the five-time champion coach-turned-executive added.
Statement from Pat Riley
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) December 26, 2024
"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."
Asked on his thoughts on Riley's statement, Butler indicated he will be just fine in case the Heat had a change of heart and decided to move on from him.
“We will see. Only time will tell. I can’t tell you what’s going to happen tomorrow. I appreciate (Riley’s) statement. But this is a business after all. I won’t have any hard feelings either way.”
On Pat Riley’s statement and if he will be happy with playing out the season.
— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) December 31, 2024
“We will see, only time will tell. I can’t tell what’s finna happen come tomorrow, but I appreciate the statement. But this is a business…I won’t have any hard feelings either way.” #HeatNation
Butler is averaging 18.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.9 assists in 20 games this season with Miami sporting a 16-14 record, just a half-game behind the Milwaukee Bucks (17-14) and the Atlanta Hawks (18-15) for the fifth spot in the East.
As for where he might end up next, the possibilities are endless. Perhaps one of the NBA's premier two-way wings, his addition to every team in the league not named the Heat will certainly boost their title aspirations.
