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In a poignant moment during a presser, Butler touched on his aim of reclaiming the joy he finds in basketball, saying, "I want to get my joy back from playing basketball... I want to be back to somewhat dominant." This desire for joy on the court underscores a troubling disconnect he feels, not just in his performance, but perhaps from the team dynamics as well.
Conflict With the Franchise
Rumblings of discontent have escalated, leading sources to reveal that Butler has requested a trade, with preferences that include contending teams such as the Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, and Dallas Mavericks. Conversations between Butler’s representatives and the Heat management have aimed to ease tensions, but as it stands, both parties may be nearing a point of no return.