Jimmy Butler appears to be doing everything that he can to hasten his departure from the Miami Heat.
Shams Charania of ESPN reported Thursday that the Miami star Butler has indicated to the Heat that he wants the team to trade him. Charania adds that Butler does not plan to provide the Heat with a list of preferred destinations but is open to playing “anywhere other than Miami.”
The six-time All-Star Butler does plan to participate in all team activities though and will do whatever the Heat ask of him throughout the process of seeking a trade, Charania says.
This news comes right after Butler and the Heat were blown out on Thursday by a sub-.500 opponent in the Indiana Pacers. Indiana won 128-115 (after leading by as many as 28) while Butler finished with just nine points and four assists in 27 minutes.
Speaking with reporters after the loss, Butler indicated that he had lost his joy for the game of basketball.
“I want to see me get my joy back for basketball,” said Butler. “Wherever that may be, we’ll find out here pretty soon. I wanna get my joy back. I’m happy here off the court, but I wanna be back to somewhat dominant. I wanna hoop. I wanna help this team win. Right now I’m not doing that.”
Butler was then asked if he could get his joy back with Miami and quickly replied, “Probably not.”
