Editor’s Note: The Miami Heat announced on Friday night that they have suspended Jimmy Butler for seven games “due to multiple instances of conduct detrimental to the team” and stated they will be open to trade proposals.

The end of Jimmy Butler’s era with the Miami Heat is approaching.

The pressing question remains: Will it happen before the Feb. 6 trade deadline or after the conclusion of the 2024-25 season?

Discussions regarding Butler’s future intensified over the last 48 hours, particularly after his performance in the Heat’s 119-108 triumph against New Orleans on Wednesday, where he contributed only nine points on five attempts.

Returning from a two-week illness, the Heat seemed dissatisfied with Butler’s effort, resulting in his absence during the fourth quarter.

Though Butler’s name has surfaced in trade conversations even before this season, serious discussions between the Heat and Butler’s representatives took place on Thursday, just ahead of the Heat’s 128-115 defeat to Indiana, where he scored nine points on six shots.

After the game, Butler told reporters, “I want to rediscover my joy in playing basketball. Wherever that may be, we’ll know soon. I’m content off the court, but I want to regain my dominance, I want to play, and I want to contribute to this team’s success, which I’m not currently doing.”

When asked if he could find that joy with the Heat, he responded, “Probably not.”

What lies ahead? A trade appears likely, though it comes with its own set of challenges. This started with Heat president Pat Riley’s statement on December 26 amidst rumors about Butler’s future: “We want to clarify – Jimmy Butler is not being traded.”

At that point, Butler had not yet privately or publicly requested a trade. The situation has been complicated further by multiple teams reaching out to the Heat regarding Butler’s status, with these inquiries making headlines and intensifying concerns about Butler’s future. This friction escalated significantly following Butler’s recent return to play.

Riley may have aimed to keep Butler in Miami for the remainder of the season – the Heat currently holds a 17-15 record and sits in sixth place in the Eastern Conference. They are among several teams with similar records vying for potential playoff positioning.

Butler initially intended to remain with the Heat for the full season, aiming for a strong year before assessing his options in the offseason. He is under contract for $52.4 million during the 2025-26 season, yet he has the ability to opt out and enter free agency, a plan he had in mind. While he considered re-signing with the Heat, that option now appears unlikely.

This season, Butler’s role in Miami’s offense has been altered. His contribution has decreased; he averaged a team-high of 20.8 points on 13.2 attempts last season, shooting 49.9% from the field, alongside 5.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.3 steals per game, with a usage rating of 23.5.

This season, he is averaging 17.6 points on 55.2% shooting, but he is only getting 10.5 attempts per game with a usage rating that has dropped to 20.3. Additionally, his playing time has decreased from 34 minutes per game last season to 30.8 this year. Nevertheless, the team performs better with Butler on the court (Miami scores 4.3 more points per 100 possessions with him playing compared to being scored on by nearly a point when he’s not).

Butler, now 35, continues to be a valuable contributor on both ends of the court.

Now comes the challenging part: identifying the right trade deal. Butler’s contract limits some teams from pursuing him, and considering his potential free agency or one year remaining on a contract worth over $50 million, teams may hesitate to part with valuable assets for a player who could be a short-term addition. Any team interested must have confidence in their ability to secure his long-term presence.

Conversely, should the Heat decide to trade him, they will seek a return that is beneficial both now and in the future. It’s a careful balancing act. Historically, the Heat have avoided making significant trades at the deadline, opting instead to reshape their roster during the offseason.

However, the situation has reached a point where a parting may be beneficial for both parties. Their time together has yielded success, with Miami reaching the Finals in 2020 and 2023.

But what exists now is not what was, and that’s acceptable. To achieve their respective goals, a separation is necessary.