The Miami Heat have reportedly traded star forward Jimmy Butler to the Golden State Warriors, ending a turbulent period marked by suspensions and contract disputes, Al Jazeera reports.
ESPN and The Athletic, citing unnamed team sources, reported on Wednesday that the Heat finalized the deal, sending the 35-year-old Butler to the Warriors in exchange for Andrew Wiggins, Dennis Schroder, Kyle Anderson, and a first-round draft pick.
Butler’s departure from Miami comes after months of reported friction. He was serving his third suspension this season for “a continued pattern of disregard of team rules, engaging in conduct detrimental to the team and intentionally withholding services.”
The star forward, whose 17 points and 5.2 rebounds per game this season represent his lowest scoring average since 2013-14, had reportedly requested a trade in early January. The request stemmed from the Heat’s apparent reluctance to offer him the lucrative contract extension he desired.
Butler, who joined the Heat from Philadelphia in 2019, led the team to the NBA Finals in 2020 and 2023. He will now join Stephen Curry and Draymond Green in Golden State, adding significant firepower to the Warriors as they vie for a play-in tournament berth in the Western Conference.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported that the trade coalesced shortly before the Warriors’ game against the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City. Coach Steve Kerr reportedly closed the locker room to address the team before the game.
Following the Warriors’ loss to the Jazz, Kerr declined to comment on the specifics of the trade, citing its unfinalized status. He did, however, acknowledge the difficulty of preparing for a game amidst swirling trade rumors and the absence of players involved.
Following the trade, Butler, who had previously been linked to the Phoenix Suns, reportedly agreed to a two-year, $112 million extension to stay with the Warriors through the 2026-27 season. Multiple reports indicate that he will decline his $52 million player option for next season in order to sign the extension.