The phones are ringing at a higher frequency in the Miami Heat front office as the Jimmy Butler situation has boiled over. The last nail in the coffin was Butler’s comments after the ugly loss to the Pacers. He wanted his “joy of playing basketball” back and in turn, got his trade wish. Pat Riley also was kind enough to add a suspension to the chaos. But now that his exit is only a matter of time, major complications have surfaced regarding the move.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst recently highlighted that the Heat haven’t been satisfied with the offers placed in front of them. According to him, the only franchise still in the running to acquire Jimmy Butler is the Suns. However, it’s not as simple as it sounds. On SportsCenter, the insider mentioned, “The only functional way they have to get him is Bradley Beal, who has a no trade clause. And the Heat, 2 years ago when he wanted to go there, rejected. So, that would take a 3rd or potentially 4th team and, and those deals are very hard to put together. It, it’s gonna be a lot of talking and a, and a lot of complicated, maneuvering.”

Since Kevin Durant is the superstar veteran that he is, the franchise is all in on keeping him. Devin Booker, on the other hand, has been loyal to the Suns since they drafted him in 2015. The only viable option for the organization is to part ways with Beal, who has posted lower numbers compared to the other two. However, the twist is the clause added to Beal’s contract. Phoenix won’t be able to trade him unless the no-trade clause is lifted.

Then again, we’re talking about the Heat, the same franchise Beal showed interest in moving to two years ago, as Windy pointed out. But they have clarified in bold terms that they have “no interest” in Beal. So that could be a dead end for the 35-year-old. But if not Phoenix, then where else could Butler go? Look no further, as some surprising names have surfaced in the trade speculations.

Jimmy Butler might need to learn Chinese as surprising names pop up in trade odds

Jimmy Butler’s camp, especially his agent, Bernard Lee, had been denying reports linking the 6-time NBA All-Star to other teams. But the days of denial are behind us now. With all sorts of teams in the mix, the forward’s words about anywhere but Miami are being considered with extremities by the online bettors.

According to the odds on Bovada’s official site, some interesting teams are being fancied as his next abode. The most shocking ones are those from the Far East. Chinese basketball teams, the Shanghai Sharks and the Guangdong Tigers, have+50000 odds along with Spanish giants FC Barcelona. The rest of the following teams are all NBA teams, much to his relief. The Rockets and the Warriors are the most viable choices, according to sportsbook lovers. However, league sources indicate the move to the Bay Area is highly unlikely.

There are not many sources backing concrete interest from Houston, Butler’s Texas team, either. And with each passing day, the fans in Miami are turning on Butler, with the most recent case of dissent reported in Wynwood. His mural has some new artwork on it, such as a sticker that reads ‘clearance trade,’ ‘I quit’ headband, and a coffee cup that has ‘please pay me’ written over it.

The situation is far from ideal and only indicates the fury of the fans. What’s next for Jimbo? We don’t know that yet, but it’s a long shot that the 35-year-old will be hooping in China.