Jimmy Butler unwilling to sign extension with Warriors, ending trade talks

Miami Heat star  Jimmy Butler has told the Golden State Warriors he is unwilling to sign an extension with the team, ending trade talks between the sides, per NBA insider Brian Windhorst of ESPN.

The Heat’s Jimmy Butler has communicated to the Warriors that he’s unwilling to sign an extension there & therefore trade talks to send him to Golden State have ended for now, sources told ESPN.

— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) February 3, 2025

Butler has been suspended three times by the Heat this season, and with the trade deadline looming, both parties have indicated they would like to move on.

It appears, however, that he won’t be headed to Golden State — one organization that seemed to be making a strong push. The Phoenix Suns have long been rumored as Butler’s preferred next destination.

That said, it appears the Suns do not have a viable path to acquire Butler, as it would take moving the contract of Bradley Beal. But Beal has a no-trade clause in his contract, practically crippling any move for Butler.

The Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets are too other teams said to be on Butler’s wish list — though Dallas just made a blockbuster deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, sending franchise-face Luka Doncic to L.A. The Mavs aren’t likely to make any other major moves and probably don’t have the assets to land Butler, anyway.

Butler has a $52.4M player option for the 2025-26 season. Miami’s unwillingness to offer him an extension, at least in Butler’s eyes, is what’s led to the drama.

The Heat are increasingly motivated to move Butler ahead of the NBA trade deadline (Thursday, 3 p.m. ET). Sources told Hoops Wire they don’t envision Butler playing in either of the Heat’s games leading up to the deadline — Monday at Philadelphia and Wednesday at Chicago.

This article first appeared on Hoops Wire and was syndicated with permission.