Jimmy Butler, a six-time NBA All-Star and two-time Eastern Conference champion, would prefer to be traded by the Miami Heat ahead of the February trade deadline, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Butler has reportedly not made a formal trade request to the Heat,

A source who has spoken to multiple teams told The Miami Herald that Butler is considered available on the trade market. Butler was non-committal when asked earlier this month if he wants to remain with the Heat. But there’s nothing to suggest that a deal was imminent, and no indication that the Heat would cave to his preferences.

The NBA trade deadline is, strictly speaking, more than six weeks away. However, that distance was shortened for the Miami Heat Wednesday as news broke that forward Jimmy Butler preferred to be traded.