Photo: Peter Baba

Jimmy Butler’s future with the Miami Heat continues to spark widespread speculation, though the star forward has not formally requested a trade.

Reports suggest that while Butler would prefer to remain in Miami and sign a contract extension, he is open to the possibility of moving to teams like the Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, or Phoenix Suns if the Heat consider trade options.

Butler’s agent, Bernie Lee, expressed frustration over Shams Charania’s reporting on the situation, taking to X to criticize the claims. However, Charania stood firmly behind his statements during an appearance on ESPN’s First Take on Thursday.

“I one thousand percent stand by my reporting,” Charania stated. “It is fully vetted. As a professional, that’s what I do. That’s what I get paid to do. That’s what I’m going to do – report truthfully and accurately. That’s what this is. Period.”

Charania reaffirmed that the veteran has not formally requested to leave the Heat.

“He has not requested a trade as of yet,” he reiterated.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst added further context, noting Butler’s desire to remain in Miami under the right circumstances.

“From what I understand, I think Jimmy Butler’s preference would be to sign an extension in Miami,” Windhorst explained.

“He had hoped to do that actually last summer, but Pat Riley came out at the end of last season and said that’s not what the Heat are doing. And they still haven’t made any progress on that. I think that’s what he would like to do. I think he would like to stay there.”

Butler’s ability to opt for free agency this coming offseason adds complexity to the situation and gives him some influence over how things unfold.

“This is just the beginning of what I think will be a lot of that you hear about Jimmy Butler in the coming days and weeks,” Windhorst concluded, suggesting that the narrative surrounding the forward and the Heat is far from over.

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