"We usually don't comment on rumors, but all this speculation has become a distraction to the team and is not fair to the players and coaches," said Riley. "Therefore, we will make it clear - We are not trading Jimmy Butler."
The statement follows a course of reports from insiders that the star player wants out of South Beach and has missed the past two games with stomach problems.
Butler has been a key piece of the Heat since 2019 and led them to a pair of NBA Finals appearances (2020, 2023), in which they lost both.
The 14-year vet is currently making $49 million this year and is set to make $52 million next season if he opts in for his player option. Butler is currently averaging his career-best 55.2 shooting best but also his lowest averages for points (18.5) since 2013 and 4.9 assists, the lowest since 2018.
Butler is one of the most decorated NBA players currently in the league today. The former 30th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft is a six-time All-Star, five-time All-Pro and All-Defensive Team, the 2014-2015 Most Improved Player, and the 2022-2023 Eastern Conference Finals MVP.