Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Miami Heat Insider ‘Expects’ Blockbuster Jimmy Butler Trade This Summer

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Paolo Songco | Last updated 5/9/24

Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler has been making all sorts of headlines of late. The six-time All-Star recently came out with a bold claim about the Heat still being alive in the playoffs right now if only he were available to play.

While that statement in itself is a contentious claim, to say the least, that’s not the only reason why Butler has been trending on social media recently. Right now, Butler has also grabbed the attention of experts and fans alike as his future in South Beach has been put into serious question.

Miami Heat News: Jimmy Butler Trade Imminent

According to Heat insider Wes Goldberg of The Ringer and RealGM, Butler has already played his last game for Miami. This is after the plugged-in reporter declared Butler’s imminent departure in the offseason:

"I expect Jimmy Butler to get traded this summer."

– Heat insider @wcgoldberg

(Via @LockedOnHeat) pic.twitter.com/15HIohMq5S

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 9, 2024

For what it’s worth, Butler is under contract through 2026. However, he has a player option on his deal for the 2025-26 campaign, which means that he could enter free agency next summer.

The last thing Miami wants is for Butler to walk away for nothing next year, so it would be in their best interest to cash in on him now while they still can.

There have already been reports about the Heat and Butler negotiating a contract extension this summer, but you just know that the Pat Riley-led front office isn’t going to bend over backward to retain the services of their talisman.

It’s definitely going to be a very interesting offseason over in Miami, to say the least.