According to several sources, the Miami Heat traded their star forward Jimmy Butler to the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday.
The 35-year-old Butler had asked for a trade last month because he and the Heat were at disagreements over his contract. Due to his actions that were damaging to the team during his trade request drama, Miami has punished him three times.
According to reports, the Warriors are sending a protected first-round selection and Andrew Wiggins to Miami.
Butler has shot a career-high 54.0% from the field and averaged 17.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.8 assists in 25 games this season.
When asked whether he might rediscover his excitement on the court with the Heat, Butler responded that he had lost it following a loss against the Indiana Pacers in early January. The following day, the franchise suspended him and declared in a statement that it would consider trade offers for Butler.
Butler was suspended a second time for missing a team flight and a third time for leaving practice early after he returned for three games in mid-January following his first seven-game suspension. Since January 21, he hasn’t played in a game.
Butler is apparently being signed to a two-year, $121 million extension by Golden State in addition to purchasing him, according to ESPN.
Golden State is in 10th place in the Western Conference and has an aging superstar in Stephen Curry.
Butler, who twice guided Miami to the NBA Finals in 2020 and 2023, is being acquired by the Warriors. In May of last year, following the Heat’s elimination from the playoffs, team president Pat Riley objected to Butler signing a similar agreement, stating that the organization had a year to make a decision. Butler reportedly became irritated with Riley’s remarks since he only had a player option for the upcoming season left on his contract.