Reporting within the wake of Miami’s elimination from the 2024 playoffs indicated that Butler can be looking for a maximum-salary extension in the course of the offseason. Requested about that risk throughout his end-of-season press convention, president of basketball operations Pat Riley expressed reluctance to make that kind of monetary funding in a participant “except you have got somebody who’s going to be obtainable each evening,” a reference to Butler’s damage points in latest seasons.
Butler subsequently decided to place off extension discussions and stay with the Warmth fairly than pushing for a commerce.
As Charania writes, the 35-year-old nonetheless has a powerful affinity for Miami and has been skilled all through this season, however with the Warmth hovering round play-in territory for the final couple years and Butler probably reaching free company at season’s finish, the entrance workplace has been “open-minded” about commerce inquires.
In line with Charania, Butler’s agent Bernie Lee has made it clear in league circles that Butler can be open to locations just like the Rockets, Mavericks and Warriors. Whereas Butler is a Texas native, his high precedence within the occasion of a commerce is believed to be becoming a member of a staff able to contending for a championship.
Groups, together with the Warmth, have been knowledgeable that Butler intends to show down his $52.4M participant choice for the 2025-26 season with the intention to change into a free agent subsequent summer season, sources inform ESPN. Nonetheless, on condition that few groups undertaking to have important cap room in 2025, the membership that has Butler on its roster on the finish of the season would doubtless be the favourite to re-sign him, since that membership would maintain his Bird rights.
Butler has missed 5 video games for well being causes to this point this season, however has been efficient in his 17 outings, averaging 19.0 factors, 5.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 32.1 minutes per recreation, with a .557/.360/.787 taking pictures line. The Warmth have gone 10-7 within the video games he has performed and have a file of 2-3 when he’s been out.
