Heat Not Shopping Jimmy Butler, No Extension Expected

The Miami Heat have no intentions of trading Jimmy Butler this offseason. In addition, the Heat are unlikely to extend Butler’s contract before the end of this coming season. The leaves both player and team in a potentially tricky situation.

Butler is expected to opt out of his contract following the season to become an unrestricted free agent. The veteran wing would hit the market as a 36-year-old player coming off a max contract. Presumably, Butler would be looking for a three-year max or near-max deal with a contender.

If Butler chooses to leave Miami, he may need their help getting to his chosen destination. Several contenders used up future cap flexibility in deal this summer. That means Butler’s best avenue to leave the Heat could be via sign-and-trade. That comes with additional complications, due to sign-and-trade restrictions and teams getting hard-capped at the first or second apron.