NBA Rumors: Jimmy Butler 'Disappointed' with Heat's Lack of Ambition via Trades, FA

Miami Heat star forward Jimmy Butler was reportedly upset at the team's front office for not being more aggressive in improving the team's roster, per James Jackson of The Athletic.

"But frustrations over other contenders being more aggressive — the defending Boston Celtics acquiring Kristaps Porziņģis and Jrue Holiday, the Milwaukee Bucks traded for Damian Lillard — have left Butler disappointed with the Heat seemingly not being as ambitious the source said. Last year seemed to mark a crucial pivot point, as Miami brought in Thomas Bryant and Josh Richardson to bolster its roster, which left Butler feeling he had to 'do the impossible again,' the source said."

On Jan. 3, the Heat suspended Butler seven games for "multiple instances of conduct detrimental to the team over the course of the season and particularly the last several weeks."

In addition, Miami revealed that Butler and his agent issued a trade request. The Heat also stated they were listening to trade offers.

The seventh and final game of Butler's suspension is set for Wednesday at the Los Angeles Lakers. He's eligible to return to the team on Friday at home versus the Denver Nuggets. The trade deadline is Feb. 6.

Butler reiterated his desire for a trade in a conversation with team president Pat Riley last week, per ESPN's Shams Charania.

At the moment, Butler is on an expiring contract, but he has a $52 million player option for 2025-26. He only plans to use that option as a "trade maneuver," per Charania.

Butler, a 14-year NBA veteran, is a six-time All-Star and five-time All-NBA player. The 35-year-old has averaged 17.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.7 assists

He signed with Miami before the 2019-20 season and has been tremendous for the team, leading the Heat to three Eastern Conference Finals appearances (two Eastern Conference titles in 2020 and 2023).

However, it's clear his time in Miami is up. He previously said in a chat with reporters that he probably would be unable to find his joy playing basketball again in Miami. It's unclear why that is, although he apparently wasn't happy that the team didn't make a greater effort to improve the roster around him while other Eastern Conference powers did so.

At any rate, Miami is now 20-18, sitting seventh in the Eastern Conference. The Heat look like a fringe playoff team at best, although the Heat have been known to overachieve in the postseason.

If the Heat get there, it doesn't look like it will be with Butler, although his future still remains in limbo as his suspension is set to end.