MIAMI (AP) — Jimmy Butler is scheduled to play for the Miami Heat on Wednesday. And after that, no one knows.
Good news for the Heat: Butler, who said he had been fairly seriously ill for more than a week, declared himself healthy again and said he would return to action when Miami hosts New Orleans on New Year’s Eve. .
In perhaps not-so-good news, Butler was noncommittal when asked on Tuesday if he wanted to stay in Miami, where he wanted to stay for a few weeks and amid trade speculation.
“Good question, you know? I’m not,” Butler said. “But now I’m here, so I’m going to make the most of it. I’m going to compete, and I’m going to win. That’s all I have. That’s a lot of talk. There’s a lot of noise, and I think that’s fine. It doesn’t bother me at all. I love it. But it makes everyone wonder, it’s like, you have to come back and ask me something. I like it. It’s good to be talked about, but it’s even better to be wanted.”
His return to practice was the latest development in a saga that has been going on for months — Butler could have earned a two-year, $113 million contract extension from Miami this summer, but that won’t happen. It didn’t — and for the first time in three years, it started to regain momentum. A few weeks ago, when ESPN reported that the Heat were open to receiving trade offers.
Then, on Christmas Day, ESPN reported that Butler wanted to be traded before the Feb. 6 deadline, with Golden State, Houston, Phoenix and Dallas on his list of potential destinations. Butler denied Tuesday that he had such a list.
“Does it matter? Does it? I don’t think so,” Butler said. “It’s all out of my control anyway. Like I said, I’m here, hoo-hooing.”
Butler, who led the Heat to two NBA Finals in six seasons with Miami, is averaging 18.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.9 assists in 20 games with Miami this season. The Heat are 11-9 when he plays and 5-5 when he doesn’t.
Heat president Pat Riley addressed speculation in a departure from team policy last week in trade talks, making it clear the team has no plans to move Butler — even if he leaves as a free agent this summer. Even if there is a possibility. Butler also has a $52 million player option for next season.
“Normally we do not comment on rumors, but all of this speculation is distracting to our team and unfair to our players and coaches,” Riley said in a release distributed by the team. “Therefore, let me be clear that we do not intend to trade Jimmy Butler.”
Riley said when last season ended that he wanted to see more of the team’s best players, including Butler. Butler said Tuesday that he has tried to play in as many games as possible, citing his decision to play in the Dec. 20 game against Oklahoma City, where he sprained his ankle and left due to illness. A few days later.
“I was pretty confused,” Butler said. “But I wanted to come out because I actually want to play as many games as possible. I’m not even kidding. I came out and felt sluggish, so I tweaked my ankle. , I wasn’t. I was getting ready to starve and throw up and all that.”
Butler hasn’t requested a trade from the Heat, and he doesn’t seem to know how the next few weeks or months will unfold.
“It’s up to the Pats and them. They’re going to do what’s best for the organization, obviously,” Butler said. “As long as I’m happy, and I’m still happy, I’m in a good space. I’ll tell you that. I have kids here, I’m healthy, and I’m smiling. I promise you, I’m happy.”
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