Jimmy Butler Trade Rumors: No Team Has Asked Heat to Discuss New Contract with Star

There's another update in the Jimmy Butler saga, but it doesn't appear the status quo has changed much for him and the Miami Heat.

NBA insider Chris Haynes reported Tuesday that Butler's representatives have "repeatedly told Heat he's in shape, healthy and ready to continue his career and move past this immediately."

"Their messaging to Heat has been to negotiate best deal possible and once in red zone, if that team is granted permission by MIA to speak with Butler's rep to discuss his longterm future, that dialogue would be welcomed," Haynes said. "To date, no team has asked for permission."

That last part is the most crucial aspect. We're a little more than 48 hours away from Thursday's trade deadline, yet there isn't a single suitor who has advanced to the point where it reached out to Butler's reps directly.

The idea his camp is signaling the Heat to get the "best deal possible" is also at odds with what he and his agent are broadly communicating to other teams.

ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported Sunday the Golden State Warriors paused their pursuit after they were informally told Butler wouldn't sign a long-term extension. He followed up Tuesday on Get Up to report the Heat were prepared to accept an offer that included Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins but that Butler "didn't want it."

The six-time All-Star remains determined to go to the Phoenix Suns, which Windhorst described as "bizarrely admirable."

"He has torched his relationship with the Heat and hurt the team's season," the NBA insider wrote. "He has also blocked trade options that would be good fits, where he could have potentially gotten paid and been on a contender. But he's the rare difference-maker who can tilt the outcome of a playoff series and that comes with a lot of power. Butler is trying to use it."

From the jump, Butler and his agent have operated as if they possess more leverage than they actually have. Teams clearly aren't banging down the Heat's door to make a trade, and the Suns' desire to get him doesn't matter if Bradley Beal declines to waive his no-trade clause.

A month has passed since Butler formally requested a trade, and almost nothing has fundamentally changed.