According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Miami Heat’s relationship with Jimmy Butler is officially destroyed and torn down without repair.

Butler had a face-to-face meeting with Pat Riley and told him there would not be any circumstance in which he signed an extension with Miami. He’s expressed his desire to leave the Heat via trade.

The only scenario where the 35-year-old would opt into his $52 million player option would be to use it as a trading asset.

For Miami, they must figure out what to do with him after his suspension. For those wondering, his suspension ends on Thursday. The Heat play the Denver Nuggets on Friday at home.

Reports have said Butler will return to the Heat if no trade is agreed upon or found. There is a feeling around the league that the talented veteran will honor the remaining of his contract if no trade is found, and he will leave in free agency.

As a reminder, Butler prefers a trade to the Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, or Houston Rockets. The number one team that wants him is Phoenix.

In 22 games this season, Butler’s averaging 17.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.7 assists.

Suns could sign Kevin Love

Suns could sign Kevin Love

Kevin Love has been bought out of his contract by the Cavaliers and many teams have an interest in the 34-year-old big man. Teams such as the Suns, Lakers, and Heat have all been rumored to have an interest.

Phoenix is looking to add one more big man after trading away Dario Saric to the Thunder for Darius Bazley; they currently have one roster spot remaining and it is being said that the Suns would use their prorated Taxpayer Midlevel Exception to sign Love. That would ultimately beat out the Heat financially as they could only use their prorated veteran minimum contract.

Plus, Ish Wainright’s two-way contract has expired due to him playing all eligible games under that contract. The reason, why Wainright is being brought up in conversation, is due to the fact that the Suns may have to choose between him and Love. Something a lot of fans are speculating.

With that being said, Phoenix will have a crucial decision to make as after that decision they’ll have their playoff-ready roster. James Jones may add him because of his added value coming off the bench, despite the poor season he has had, and that both were teammates back in Jones’s playing days.

CourtSideHeat will continue to monitor and update you all on this situation.

Knicks not interested in reunion with Melo

Knicks not interested in reunion with Melo

Rumors emerged that a possible reunion of Carmelo Anthony and New York was in the making, however, the Knicks have shut that down with many reasons to back up why it wouldn’t make sense to bring him back to the team.

The 38-year-old wouldn’t fit their defensive style and how they want to push up the ball offensively; head coach Tom Thibodeau just doesn’t see a compatible fit between the two sides, which makes sense as the tone/team has changed drastically since Melo departed the team.

Despite Obi Toppin being injured and Melo being in the right position, the Knicks are believed to be waiting out that injury and just making patching adjustments until the 24-year-old returns to the lineup. Toppin is currently dealing with a fibula issue, which is sidelining him for 2-3 weeks.

New York doesn’t want to give Melo minutes that would take away from Toppin’s development, they want to give them all the minutes that they can realistically give Toppin.