Report: Heat cautiously optimistic about finding Butler trade partner

The Miami Heat are cautiously optimistic about finding a trade to move disgruntled star Jimmy Butler ahead of the Feb. 6 deadline, the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson and Anthony Chiang reported.

The Heat have engaged in trade discussions with several teams beyond Butler's preferred destination of the Phoenix Suns, Jackson and Chiang add.

The Suns are struggling to facilitate a deal because they would need to include one of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, or Bradley Beal to make a trade work due to the new second-apron tax implications. Beal, the name most often linked to a trade, has two years and $110 million remaining on his contract after this season and a full no-trade clause.

Some teams that initially thought they were out of the Butler sweepstakes are re-engaging the Heat as it appears increasingly unlikely that Miami and Phoenix will strike a deal, according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst.

The Heat have also lowered their asking price for Butler since the six-time All-Star initially requested a trade, and clubs believe they could acquire him at a bargain price, Windhorst added.

Miami originally sought either a great player or good players who could help them reach the postseason, a good prospect, and draft compensation, per Windhorst.

The Heat also feel they should receive more incentive, most likely a draft pick, if they take on players whose contracts run through next season, sources told Jackson and Chiang.

However, Miami reportedly isn't willing to take on non-All-Stars who are inked to deals beyond 2025-26.

Several All-Stars could be hitting free agency in the 2026 offseason, including Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic, and Miami wants the opportunity to acquire a star, per Jackson and Chiang. The club projects to have $80 million in cap space that summer.

The Heat suspended Butler indefinitely Monday for a "continued pattern of disregard of team rules, engaging in conduct detrimental to the team, and intentionally withholding services." It's the third time the team has suspended Butler in January.

Miami has gone 5-5 during Butler's suspensions. The Heat sit sixth in the East.