If the Heat are set on not paying Butler a max extension, the smarter approach is to trade him prior to the Feb. 6 deadline. Reports are pointing to the Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Golden State Warriors,

Jimmy Butler knows there are tons of questions about his future with the Miami Heat. He might get traded, he might leave as a free agent next summer, he might exercise a $52.4 million option to return to the Heat or he might get a new contract.