• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, July 15, 2025

As Butler Eliminates Options, Heat Face Expensive Dilemma

The Suns are the only team that seems willing to give Butler the contract extension he desires—but the Heat are not willing to take on Bradley Beal’s contract.

Jan 29, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) is guarded by Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) during the fourth quarter at Kaseya Center.
Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Jimmy Butler was suspended for seven games by the Heat on Friday as the team explores trade offers for the six-time All-Star. However, it seems Miami will not be trading Butler before he is reinstated.

According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, the Heat are not satisfied with the offers they’ve received for Butler and are “preparing internally” for Butler to be on the team by the time he’s eligible to play on Jan. 17.

“We’re at a genuine stalemate,” Windhorst said Tuesday on First Take. He added that teams are offering the “pupu platter” for Butler because of his contract. 

The Heat reportedly refused to give the 35-year-old a two-year, $113 million contract extension this past summer, so Butler can be an unrestricted free agent this offseason if he chooses to decline his $52.4 million player option.  

Multiple teams, including the Grizzlies, have been told Butler has “no interest” in being traded to them, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes. Yahoo Sports senior analyst Kevin O’Connor reported the Bucks as another team Butler shot down. This would indicate Butler would not sign an extension and would essentially be a half-year rental for any team.

According to Windhorst, Butler’s desired destination is Phoenix—and there’s mutual interest between the two sides. But several factors complicate a trade to the Valley of the Sun. For the money to work, Bradley Beal would need to be involved in a trade—unless the Suns unexpectedly decide to trade Kevin Durant or Devin Booker.

Beal, who was benched Monday for the first time since the 2015–2016 season, has three years left on his deal, including this year, amounting to about $161 million. He also has a no-trade clause—and he told reporters after Monday’s game that the team has not informed him about a potential trade.

“If so, I need to be addressed because I hold the cards,” Beal said.

Beal was reportedly willing to waive his no-trade clause to go to Miami in 2023 when he was being shopped by the Wizards. The Heat were unwilling to take on the three-time All-Star’s contract. That position hasn’t changed this time around, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks.

Miami will need to find another team willing to take on Beal that can also make the money work—especially because the Suns are second-apron violators. An already narrow field would shrink further since Beal must be willing to waive his no-trade clause for the deal to push through.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

MLB Home Run Derby Draws 5.7M Viewers on ESPN, Up 5%

ESPN reverses the trend from last year and registers audience growth.
Texas Head Coach Steve Sarkisian waits to lead his team out of the tunnel ahead of the Longhorns' game against the Baylor Bears, Saturday, Sept. 23 at McLane Stadium in Waco.

Is a Texas Takeover About to Hit the SEC, On and Off..

The Longhorns are favored to win the SEC in their second year in the conference.
Georgia takes the field for the first half of the SEC championship game against Texas in Atlanta, on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024.

SEC Lands Starring Role in Netflix College Football Docuseries

Netflix brings its sports storytelling to the heart of SEC football.
Jul 14, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) bats during the 2025 Home Run Derby at Truist Park.

MLB Enters Crucial Second Half With Big Questions Looming

Media, labor, and Cal Raleigh are among the top second-half storylines.

Featured Today

May 31, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sydney McLaughin-Levrone (USA) reacts before the women's 100m hurdles during the Grand Slam Track Philadelphia at Franklin Field
exclusive

Track’s New Money Is Running Into Old Problems

The sport’s big-money era has hit some speed bumps in 2025.
Bobbleheads are seen at Vintage Indy Sports, Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Speedway. The local sports memorabilia store opened recently.
July 12, 2025

Baseball’s Bobbleheads Are the Center of the Collectibles Universe

Baseball’s most important keepsake drives long lines—and big business.
Rimouski, QC - JUNE 1: Final Game of the 2025 Memorial Cup between the Medicine Hats Tigers and the London Knights on June 1, 2025, at the Colisée Financière Sun Life in Rimouski, Qc.
July 11, 2025

CHL Is Facing a ‘Pandora’s Box’ of Questions Amid NCAA Talent Departure

As players defect to college, the Canadian Hockey League won’t cede ground.
Jun 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) bats during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field.
July 9, 2025

The Torpedo Bat Business Is Still Going Strong: ‘Here to Stay’

Demand for the oddly shaped bats has stayed strong across the sport.
WNBA

Portland WNBA Team Will Be Fire, Bigger Choices Loom

The WNBA’s 15th franchise is bringing back the Fire.
Alex Rodriguez
July 11, 2025

Finally in Charge, A-Rod Says Timberwolves Need New Arena

Rodriguez and Lore would like to repair team relations with Kevin Garnett.
May 12, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) shoots the ball in the second half during game four of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
exclusive
July 14, 2025

Celtics, Lakers Sales Not on Agenda for NBA Board of Governors Vote

The Board of Governors will meet Tuesday.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Alex Sarr
July 9, 2025

Wizards Pushing Limits of Youth With 11 Players on Rookie Deals

Washington’s 2025 first-round pick is top-eight protected.
July 9, 2025

From Dynasty to Disarray: Red Bull Fires Christian Horner

He served as Red Bull team principal for more than two decades.
Chelsea
July 8, 2025

Chelsea Club World Cup Run Banks at Least $100M for Mark Walter..

The Blues will likely take home between $100 million and $120 million.
July 8, 2025

Texas Sports Teams, Leagues Donate Over $5M to Flood Relief

NFL, MLB, and NBA teams in Texas donate to flood recovery efforts.