It all began with fun and games when Jimmy Butler started coloring his hair, the colors of the team he’d be linked to. Relations between him and Pat Riley were already depreciating by then. But now they have been worse than ever. Butler spent five years in Miami, making a huge impact as the team’s star. He helped lead the Heat to the NBA Finals twice and quickly became the face of the franchise.

But things started to shift over time.

Butler missed a fair share of games, seemed frustrated, and then came the big issue—he didn’t get that $113 million extension he was eligible for last summer. It wasn’t a good look. And then, just after he openly questioned his future with the Heat and whether he could find joy playing there again, the franchise made their move.

They suspended him for seven games and said they’d entertain trade offers. You don’t have to be a detective to see the writing on the wall—Miami isn’t expecting Butler to stick around much longer. But there might still be hope that ‘Jimmy Buckets’ might have to wear the familiar black, red, and yellow again.

The 6x All-Star posted workout videos and photos he posted from the Heat’s weight room at Kaseya Center. And here’s where it gets interesting. It wasn’t just Jimmy Butler pushing himself. The guy had some company. Assistant coach Octavio De La Grana, player development coach Remy Ndiaye, and athletic trainer Armando Rivas all stayed back in Miami to work with him.

Butler’s seven-game suspension is set to end during the Heat’s upcoming road trip. The team plans for him to return if he’s still on the roster after that. However, Miami doesn’t want to continue paying Butler’s $48.8 million salary for this season if he stays away from the team. The 6’7 forward can rejoin the squad when they return to Miami to face the Denver Nuggets on Jan. 17.

Until then, ‘The Sunshine State’ will be listening to offers for the veteran.

Jimmy Butler’s value isn’t what it once was

Pat Riley and the Miami Heat’s front office are all about one thing: winning. They’re always looking to build a team that’s built for the now, regardless of who’s on the court.

With Butler’s future uncertain, it seems like the Heat may soon be looking to compete without him. However, Riley isn’t about to settle for just any return; he wants a deal that keeps the Heat in contention this season.

FanSided proposed a trade that could send Butler and Josh Richardson to the Spurs, with Harrison Barnes, Keldon Johnson, Malaki Branham, and future first-round picks coming back to Miami.

While this deal would bring solid contributors in Barnes, Johnson, and Branham, it doesn’t move the needle enough for Miami’s championship aspirations. Barnes brings reliability, but he’s not the game-changer they need. Meanwhile, Johnson and Branham are still developing and may not be ready to help the Heat compete at the highest level just yet.

The Heat should be aiming higher. A three-team deal that lands them a star like De’Aaron Fox from Sacramento or Brandon Ingram from New Orleans would keep them in the race for a title.

At the end of the day, it all comes down to this: Miami wants to win, and Jimmy Butler wants to feel valued. But right now, those two goals seem to be on a collision course. The Heat can’t afford to waste any time on mediocrity, and Pat Riley isn’t the type to sit around waiting for things to fall into place.

For now, all eyes are on January 17. Will Jimmy Butler return to the court? Or will he be suiting up for a different team altogether? One thing’s for sure: Miami’s next move will set the tone for the rest of their season—and maybe even their future.

Stay tuned, because this saga is just heating up.