Amid trade talks, Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler has communicated to the Golden State Warriors that he is not interested in signing a contract extension there, sources told ESPN.
Butler's position dims the chances of a deal coming together, but the situation remains fluid, sources said. The Warriors have been in conversations with multiple teams about improving their roster leading up to Thursday's NBA trade deadline.
Butler has a $52 million player option for next season, but his representation has indicated repeatedly that he prefers to bypass it and become a free agent. Butler's focus remains on getting traded to the Phoenix Suns, where he has shown an interest in signing a multiyear deal, sources said.
Teams interested in Butler have also mulled the chances they could trade for Butler without a long-term commitment with the belief that the six-time All-Star would possibly exercise his player option and not become a free agent, sources said.
Last month, the Memphis Grizzlies had preliminary talks with the Heat about Butler, sources said, but Butler also made it known he would not commit long-term in Memphis. Those discussions subsequently did not progress.
Butler is currently serving a five-game suspension -- his third suspension of the season -- after leaving practice last week.
