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.

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,

Jimmy Butler is starting to play hardball with the Miami Heat with his long-term future in South Florida the subject of increasing speculation. ESPN's

Jimmy Butler is ready for a change of scenery. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Miami Heat star "prefers" a trade out of town by the Feb. 6 trade deadline. However, he reportedly hasn't formally asked the Heat for a trade.

Six-time NBA All-Star Jimmy Butler prefers a trade out of Miami ahead of the Feb. 6 deadline, league sources told ESPN.

The Jimmy Butler trade rumors show no signs of fading away. The 35-year-old has a player option for next season and it has been suggested that he is planning to turn it down. Naturally, the Miami Heat should be open to offers rather than risk seeing him walk out as a free agent in the offseason.

Comprehensive grading of ESPN's proposed Jimmy Butler trade involving the Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors, and Detroit Pistons.

Star, is reportedly seeking a trade out of South Beach, according to league insider Shams Charania. While Butler has not officially requested a trade, sources indicate that he is ready to move on, with his sights set on a win-now contender ahead of the Feb.

Jimmy Butler trade rumors have been swirling for a couple of weeks, but that doesn't necessarily mean the Miami Heat will move him before the deadline. In fact, according to ESPN's Bobby Marks, the buzz at the G League Showcase is that,