Butler laments losing 'joy' of playing basketball with Heat

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler isn't having a good time right now.

"I want to see me get my joy back from playing basketball," Butler told reporters following Miami's 128-115 loss Thursday to the Indiana Pacers, according to Wes Goldberg from Locked on Heat. "Wherever that may be, we'll find out here pretty soon, but I want to get my joy back. I'm happy here, you know, off the court."

When asked if he could regain his enthusiasm while playing with the Heat, Butler responded, "Probably not."

Butler has indicated to Miami that he wants to be traded and is open to playing anywhere apart from the Heat, according to ESPN's Shams Charania and Brian Windhorst.

Miami benched Butler in the fourth quarter of Wednesday's 119-108 win over the New Orleans Pelicans. Head coach Erik Spoelstra explained his decision to sit his star wing after the contest, saying: "I just went with the group there in the fourth that was giving us the most and to see if that group could close it out."

Butler has recorded nine points in back-to-back contests since returning from a five-game absence due to illness. The six-time All-Star attempted only 11 field goals across those two outings.

Spoelstra described Butler's performances in both contests as "aberrational," per Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald.

Reports over the last month have indicated that Miami is shopping Butler around, which president of basketball operations Pat Riley denied.

Butler said Tuesday that he didn't care about being traded and that any decision was out of his control.

The 35-year-old entered Thursday's matchup averaging 18 points per game - his lowest mark since joining Miami in 2019.

Butler has a $52-million player option for 2025-26. Teams interested in trading for him have reportedly been told he intends to decline the option.

The Heat sit sixth in the East with a 17-15 record and host the Utah Jazz on Saturday.