is not expected to sign an extension with the Miami Heat.

One of the top players in the NBA, Butler plans to become a free agent in 2025.

“The expectation at this point is that Butler will pass on the extension even if the Heat offers it, according to sources, and then opt out of his current contract to become a free agent next summer,” Chiang wrote.

Butler will make $48.8 million this season. The small forward has a player option worth $52.4 million for the 2025-26 season and it looks like he will decline it.

“He’s going to have the ability to opt and we’re going to have the ability to extend,” Heat president  said last week to a small group of reporters when asked about Butler’s contract status. “So I’m trying to get all that thinking out of our heads because it’s living in the present moment and playing basketball. So if there’s something that’s going to drag me down or him down because of that, then we’re not going to perform at a certain level. But I think he’s embraced exactly where he’s at, I think he understands where we’re at.”

A six-time All-Star, Butler averaged 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.3 blocks in 60 games last season while shooting 49.9% from the field, 41.4% from beyond the arc and 85.8% from the free-throw line.

Butler joined the Heat in 2019. Miami lost in the 2020 NBA Finals to the Los Angeles Lakers, lost in the first round of the 2021 playoffs to the Milwaukee Bucks, lost in the 2022 conference finals to the Boston Celtics, lost in the 2023 NBA Finals to the Denver Nuggets and lost in the first round last season to Boston.

Butler has career averages of 18.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.4 blocks with the Chicago Bulls, Minnesota Timberwolves, Philadelphia 76ers and Heat. He’s made five All-NBA teams and five All-Defensive teams.

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