Sources - Jimmy Butler reiterates trade demand to Heat's Pat Riley - ESPN

Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler reiterated to team president Pat Riley in a face-to-face meeting last week that he wants to be traded, league sources told ESPN.

Butler told Riley that he will not sign a new deal in Miami and intends to only use his $52 million player option in the offseason for 2025-26 as a trade maneuver, sources said.

Butler's seven-game, team-issued suspension from the Heat — for what was termed «detrimental conduct» — ends Thursday, at which point the Heat will be faced with finding a path forward for Butler, with options including a return to the roster or a trade. Heat officials will meet later this week to discuss the best route with Butler, who requested a trade earlier this month, league sources said.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra and players such as Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo have spoken in the last week about finding clarity and eliminating the distraction of Butler's circumstances during his absence.

The Heat, 20-18 and in seventh place in the Eastern Conference standings, have gone 3-2 so far on their current six-game road trip. They finish the trip Wednesday against the Los Angeles Lakers, then host the Denver Nuggets on Friday in Miami.

«This is what we wanted, just to get back on the road, get away from all the chaos,» Herro told reporters after Saturday night's win over the Portland Trail Blazers. «Rallying around each other, making it about the guys that are here now. We got enough.»

The Heat suspended Butler on Jan. 3, saying in a statement, «Through his actions and statements, he has shown he no longer wants to be part of this team. Jimmy Butler and his representative have indicated that they wish to be traded, therefore, we will listen to offers.»

Spoelstra said the day after Butler's