While Jimmy Butler is dominating the NBA rumor mill, there may not be a trade in the immediate future.

Sam Amick of The Athletic reported Thursday that the Miami Heat are "prepared" to remain patient with the situation to "maximize" the return on any potential trade.

"In the wake of Butler's trade request and subsequent suspension, team officials told Heat players that the prospect of the 35-year-old, six-time All-Star returning to the court with them after the suspension was the most likely next step," Amick added.

Miami is reportedly practicing patience, but there is also a genuine question of leverage and what types of offers it is even going to receive.

The team suspended him for seven games and said it is open to trade discussions, so opposing clubs know Miami wants to move on from the five-time All-NBA selection.

Moving Butler this season would ensure the Heat get something back in return for him. He has a $52.4 million player option for 2025-26 that he could decline to become an unrestricted free agent, so he could hypothetically leave them empty-handed this offseason.

With that as the backdrop, ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported during Tuesday's episode of First Take that the Heat have gotten offers that "stink" so far.

"We're at a genuine stalemate. I don't know how it's going to play out," Windhorst said. "The Heat are preparing internally for this to last past the suspension, not because they've got some sort of sinister motive, but because they know what offers they've gotten and they stink. So that's where we're at now."

Windhorst also explained the impasse can largely be traced back to the team not signing Butler to a contract extension during the past offseason.

Leverage also served as the backdrop when Sam Vecenie of The Athletic reported Sunday that "league sources speculating on Butler's landing spot across the NBA struggled to come up with deals they think makes sense for everyone involved."

With no natural landing spot in trade discussions, the situation might be destined to drag on throughout the season.

Amick noted "one prominent Heat player wondered aloud if this sensitive situation might continue past the Feb. 6 trade deadline—into the summer and perhaps even beyond."

If Miami is being patient and looking for a worthwhile return, then the situation is unlikely to get resolved anytime soon as potential suitors make lowball offers looking to take advantage of the awkwardness that may stem from the suspension.