Jimmy Butler stated, “The whole truth will come out,” addressing the swirling rumors surrounding his recent trade request from the Miami Heat. Just two weeks after making that request and serving a seven-game suspension for “multiple instances of conduct detrimental to the team,” Butler made his return to the court on Friday night.
In the game against the Denver Nuggets, which ended in a 133-113 defeat for Miami, Butler contributed 18 points, shooting 7-of-15 from the field. After the game, he shared his thoughts on his absence.
“I knew I was going to play,” Butler remarked. “That’s what they had told me, but there was a lot said by everybody, except for me. So we’ll let people keep talking, as if they know everything and have all the answers.”
“Sooner or later, the whole truth will come out, but until then, we’ll continue to let people talk. If I’m here, I will get out there to play.”
Butler also expressed his annoyance with various reports regarding his relationships with Miami teammates and alleged tensions with the front office.
“I expect for people to talk,” he said. “Half the reason is that nobody ever knows what I’m really doing, so they just make up stories, which is fine. Honestly, I don’t pay much attention to it. But I’ve got people telling me, ‘Oh, they said this, they said that.’ So I guess it’s all good. I don’t have to clear anything up.”
At 35 years old, Butler holds a $52.4 million player option for the 2025-26 NBA season, which he is expected to decline, making him an unrestricted free agent this summer. Reports suggest that the Phoenix Suns are among the teams interested in acquiring him before the NBA trade deadline on February 6.
This season, Butler has played in 23 games, averaging 17.6 points, marking his lowest scoring average since the 2013-14 season. He also averages 5.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.2 steals per game, with shooting percentages of 54.7% from the field, 35.3% from three-point range, and 79.4% from the free-throw line. His average playing time of 30.9 minutes per game is also the lowest since the 2012-13 season.
Currently, the Miami Heat hold a 20-20 record, placing them in the ninth seed of the Eastern Conference.
Butler has dedicated the last six seasons to the Heat, leading the team to the NBA Finals twice (in 2020 and 2023). Before his time in Miami, he spent half a season with the Philadelphia 76ers after being traded from the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he played for over a season. He began his NBA career with the Chicago Bulls for six seasons.
FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience 
