Butler is in the final season of a three-year, $146-million contract and reportedly told Riley that he will use his $52 million player option for the 2025-26 season only to facilitate a trade.
Charania also noted that the Heat have received offers from multiple teams, but have yet to negotiate anything further. The NBA trade deadline is Feb. 6.
The Heat suspended Butler on Jan. 3 for seven games and said they will listen to trade offers — a clear sign that they do not expect him to wear their uniform again.
“We have suspended Jimmy Butler for seven games for multiple instances of conduct detrimental to the team over the course of the season and particularly the last several weeks,” the team said in a statement Friday night. “Through his actions and statements, he has shown he no longer wants to be part of this team.”
The National Basketball Players Association said it intends to file a grievance, calling the seven-game suspension “excessive and inappropriate.”
In theory, the earliest that Butler could play again for the Heat is Jan. 17 at home against Denver. But he has likely played for Miami for the final time.
The Heat have gone 3-3 in the six games played without Butler, bringing their record to 20-18 which places them seventh in the Eastern Conference.
–with files from The Associated Press