Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler took exception to team president Pat Riley’s comments made during his farewell interview following the end of the 2023-24 NBA season.

Riley made it clear he didn’t like it when Butler said Miami would have beaten the Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs and later the New York Knicks if he had been healthy. The legendary coach and front office executive responded that if you don’t play, you should “keep your mouth shut” about the criticism of these teams.

This comes amid uncertainty surrounding the six-time All-Star’s future in South Florida. He is eligible for free agency in the summer and is reportedly ready to test his value on the open market.

The Heat, for their part, “are open to listening to offers for Butler and making a deal if the proposal is right,” according to ESPN’s Shams Charania, with no long-term extension in place.

Another point of contention for the 36-year-old, according to Jackson and Chiang, is that Miami has “not publicly denied” Charania’s reporting of entertaining offerings.

In contrast, Bernie Lee, Butler’s agent, was far more combative. Lee specifically addressed the idea that his client had already made a list of favorite travel destinations, saying Charania’s reporting was “completely and totally fabricated” and “fabricated.”

Well, both those Miami Herald and Charania report that Butler would prefer to be traded before February 6, although he has not made an official request for a move.

Jackson and Chiang reported that there is “no indication that Miami feels the need” to trade Butler. That’s because there’s no practical fit for him in free agency as no contender has the cap space Space for the salary capand the Heat have not yet received an “attractive trade offer.”

However, as the deadline approaches, a potential suitor may be more willing to step up and test the Heat’s resolve.