MIAMI, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 20: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat controls the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half at Kaseya Center on December 20, 2024 in Miami, Florida. <<enter caption here>> during the second half at Kaseya Center on December 04, 2024 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)Carmen Mandato/Getty Images

Jimmy Butler Out for Heat vs. Hawks, Rockets While 'Reconditioning' amid Trade Rumors

Jack MurrayDec 27, 2024

Jimmy Butler will miss the Miami Heat's upcoming games against the Atlanta Hawks and Houston Rockets due to return to competition reconditioning, the team announced. He will rejoin the team after the road trip.

Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reported earlier Friday that the star guard "has yet to rejoin the Heat" and is still in Miami and focusing on "return to competition reconditioning." Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald added that the team had "expected" Butler to join the team for Saturday's game in Atlanta.

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Miami takes on the Atlanta Hawks at 7 p.m. ET Saturday in Atlanta and will then travel to Houston to face the Rockets on Sunday night. The Heat do not return to Miami until New Year's Day.

Butler has not played since Dec. 20 but he logged just seven minutes in that game and did not score a point. He has been dealing with an "illness" and has missed the Heat's last three games.

He is averaging 18.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.9 assists in 20 games for the Heat in 2024-25. Miami is currently 15-13 and in sixth place in the Eastern Conference.

Butler has reportedly been "unhappy" with past contract negotiations with the Heat but has not "demanded" a trade. Heat president Pat Riley has said that the team will not trade Butler.

The 35-year-old has a $52.4 million player option for 2025-26 but also could hit free agency following the 2024-25 season.