The Miami Heat and Jimmy Butler find themselves in an odd spot. Both parties want nothing more than to end their association with each other. After all, this whole fiasco has caused both parties a lot of grief. Yet this is exactly what they’ve been unable to achieve. However, it seems that may change soon if Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix is to be believed.

Earlier, reports emerged that Butler was willing to be traded to any NBA team except for two, the Memphis Grizzlies and the Sacramento Kings. But the fast-approaching February 6 deadline, among other things, may have changed the situation.

“The two teams he has basically been communicating that he didn’t want to go to were the Memphis Grizzlies and Sacramento Kings,” said Mannix. He continued, “But a lot’s been changing these last couple of weeks. Has Jimmy Butler’s mind changed? Has Memphis’s approach changed? But that’s a team I would watch because he makes a lot of sense in their rotation,” finished Mannix.

Earlier reports mentioned Jimmy Butler being partial to a move to one of the Texan teams. He is a Texan after all. However, Butler may be reconsidering the Grizzlies as a potential destination with time running out. He’s been linked to several teams so far yet nothing’s materialized for him, so it isn’t hard to why that may be the case.

Now in the midst of his third suspension, things may have reached a boiling point for Jimmy. Surely he too realizes that it would be better to move to a less preferred destination than remain in an environment that has become so toxic for him. There is barely a week left for Butler to make this change. Nevertheless, another national reporter believes things will fall into place eventually before the deadline. 

Sam Amick believes Jimmy Butler will be out of Miami before February 6

The Miami Heat are intent on receiving the best possible deal for Jimmy Butler. This does serve them when it comes to managing their resources and power in the trade market. Yet, there is a cost. That is, repeating this doomed cycle with Butler. And the worst-case scenario for both parties may be Butler remaining in Miami past the February 6 deadline. 

However, the Athletic’s Sam Amick believes Butler will be exiting Miami ahead of the NBA Trade Deadline. “I think he gets moved. It’s getting really crunchy…I think they know if they’re gonna have any hope for their season and try to make the Playoffs with the guys in that locker room…Then they need to find a trade here,” said Amick.

He also added that if Butler does stay, it puts the Heat in an awkward position. They would have to convince the league and the union that they had to send Jimmy home due to his continued insubordination because “that’s not something you’re supposed to do.”

All in all, Amick reiterated something that we all know. It is in both Jimmy Butler’s and the Miami Heat’s best interests for the 35-year-old to find a new team to ply his trade with. And it needs to happen before February 6 and the ensuing trade deadline is upon us!