The Miami Heat and Jimmy Butler seem to be approaching an inevitable split. What began as whispers of trade talks has now turned into a concrete plan. At 35, Butler’s future with the Heat is no longer in doubt. Pat Riley has had enough of the turbulence, and both sides have reportedly concluded their discussions. The end of this chapter is near.

Shams Charania, ESPN’s senior NBA insider, has delivered a major update and tensions within the Miami Heat are escalating. After Jimmy Butler‘s public admission of losing his passion for basketball in Miami and a seven-game suspension, this latest revelation takes the drama to a new level.

Charania: “Suspended Heat star Jimmy Butler tells Pat Riley in face-to-face meeting that he wants to be traded and will not sign a new deal in Miami.”

What does this mean? The implication is simple, Jimmy Buckets won’t be accepting the 2-year, $113 million extension with Miami. This means he is finding a new home and it could be the Phoenix Suns. This shows the team and the 6x All-Star forward have blatantly ignored head coach Erik Spoelstra’s 106-day-old plea.

Jimmy Butler’s HC’s request in the bins as the superstar continues to squirm his way out

In September, Coach Spo entered his sixth season with the Miami Heat. He believed that his relationship with Jimmy Butler was at a breakthrough stage. “When you get to that many years together, there’s a lot of unspoken understanding,” Spoelstra said at Miami’s media day on September 29. This theory was simple, mutual needs for the team and longevity are the keys to a better coach and player relationship.

“He’s [Jimmy Butler] at a point now where he needs me to really coach this team at a high level,” Spoelstra added. “He needs me to coach him at a high level and push him to higher levels. And I need him to be at his highest level as a player and a leader.” Again, the math was as easy as one plus one equals two. The head coach wanted the team to retain Jimmy, and he wanted Jimmy to give the Miami Heat some thought.

Did that happen? No. Ultimately the All-Star forward is rejecting his $52 million paycheck and he’s leaving the franchise. Thus pushing away Spo’s 106-day-old plea. Is this the “good riddance”? Maybe yes, maybe no. That’s for the upcoming days to decide. As of now, Jimmy is inevitably leaving Miami, and maybe, the decision has been made.