The NBA trade deadline is, strictly speaking, more than six weeks away. However, that gap was shortened for the Miami Heat on Wednesday when it was announced that forward Jimmy Butler preferred to be substituted.

It was just that easy to move Butler — both for Butler himself and for the Heat, who would undoubtedly seek significant compensation for their six-year franchise cornerstone. Following Charania’s report co-authored by Barry Jackson with Anthony Chiang on Wednesday The Miami Herald outlined two major obstacles to becoming a six-time All-Star.

“No team other than the rebuilding Brooklyn Nets would have the cap space to sign Butler to a max contract in free agency in July,” Jackson wrote. “The Heat (are) not at all concerned about the possibility of losing him for nothing in free agency, a source with direct knowledge said.”

That’s significant because much of the rift between Butler and Miami is believed to be due to the Heat declining to offer him a maximum contract extension this past offseason.

“The Heat have not been presented with an attractive trade offer. In fact, it’s unclear whether the Heat even received an offer,” Jackson added.

Obviously, things need to change if the Heat want Butler to wear a different jersey in the near future.