Jimmy Butler has expressed a desire to be traded from the Miami Heat, stating at a press conference: “I want to regain my joy.”
After the Heat’s 128-115 defeat to the Indiana Pacers on Thursday night, the six-time NBA All-Star was questioned about his ability to rediscover that joy in Miami.
“Most likely no,” he responded.
Butler had a quiet performance in the game, registering nine points and not participating in the fourth quarter, mirroring his role in Wednesday’s 119-108 win against the New Orleans Pelicans. The 35-year-old, who primarily stood in the corner on offense during games, attempted six shots against the Pacers and only five against the Pelicans.
“I believed I fulfilled my role, or at least my current role,” Butler commented on Thursday’s loss.
“However, that isn’t how I typically am.” I haven’t been like that since my first, second, and third years in the league, when I simply went out and played defense. Yet I contended, I defended, I aimed to prevent my opponent from scoring. “However, that’s exactly what I’m currently engaged in,” he went on.
“What am I hoping to witness occur?” I aim to regain my happiness from playing basketball. And no matter where that is, we’ll discover it here quite soon. I wish to regain my happiness. I feel content here, away from the game. However, I desire to regain a certain level of dominance; I wish to play basketball and assist this team in securing victories. At this moment, I’m not engaging in that activity.
After the press conference, ESPN’s Shams Charania and Brian Windhorst revealed that Butler had told the Heat about his wish to be traded. The veteran is said to remain involved in all team activities and does not intend to provide a list of desired locations.
The announcement follows just over a week after Heat president Pat Riley firmly dismissed any trade involving the star.
“We typically avoid discussing rumors, but this ongoing speculation has turned into a distraction for the team and is unfair to the players and coaches,” he stated in a release on December 26.
“Consequently, we want to emphasize – we are not dealing Jimmy Butler.”
It is yet to be determined if Riley will ease his position before the trade deadline on February 6.
According to ESPN, Riley and Butler’s relationship has been strained since May when the six-time NBA All-Star suggested that Miami wouldn’t have lost its first-round playoff series to the Boston Celtics if he hadn’t been sidelined by a knee injury.
“If you’re not on the court competing against Boston, or on the court facing the New York Knicks, you should stay silent,” Riley said during his end-of-season press conference.
This season, Butler continues to show impressive statistics. He is currently averaging 17.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.7 assists, while achieving a personal best of 55.2% shooting from the floor.
The Heat stand at 17-15 and sit sixth in the Eastern Conference, holding two fewer wins compared to this time last season.
