For a while now, Jimmy Butler and Pat Riley have appeared to cancel each other out in some manner.

Last week Butler informed Heat’s president Pat Riley, that he still wishes to be traded. Butler had also said in the press that he will not agree to an extension and plans to follow through with the $52 million player option for the 2025-2026 season to make a trade possible.

Earlier last month, it was disclosed that the 35-year-old star wants a fresh start and has asked to be traded before the NBA trade deadline on February 6, and Jimmy Butler was at the center of it. The tension between Butler and Heat was taken to the next level because contract extension talks between some franchises and the Miami Heat broke down during the summer.

Riley added fuel to the flames when he made a clear statement after the Christmas Day revelations: "We are not trading Jimmy Butler."

"I want to see me get my joy back from playing basketball and wherever that may be, we'll find out pretty soon. I want to get my joy back. I'm happy here off the court, but I want to be back to somewhat dominant, I want to hoop and I want to help this team win. Right now, I'm not doing that.”,  Butler said.

The Miami Heat switched their stand and stated that it is willing to consider trade offers for Butler after demoting him to the bench for seven games as of January 3 for "behavior harmful to the team throughout the season, especially in recent weeks."

He is likely to start on Thursday, on the team’s first game back at home after six games on the road. Now the Heat ranks the seventh place in NBA, The eastern conference with the Overall of 20-18. They stand at 3-3 in the last six games without Butler of their team.

This season in 22 games, Jimmy Butler who earns $49 million in the last year of his contract averaged 17.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.7 assist and 1.2 steals. His seven-game suspension, however, comes with a hefty price tag: $2.35 million in lost wages.

NBA Players Association has intervened, indicating escalating hostilities between the player, the league, and the team, publicly labeling the punishment as "excessive and inappropriate.”

Last year, Miami Heat’s management  their decision not to extend Jimmy Butler’s contract, tensions between the two sides. Butler being in a contract till 2025, he has a player option for $52.4 million in the following season, 2026.

Being in eighth position in the Eastern Conference with a record of 20-18 wins and 18-20 losses, the Heat has attracted attention over his contract issues.

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