In the space of just over one week, the Miami Heat went from a statement in which team president Pat Riley said, "...we will make it clear—we are not trading Jimmy Butler," to another that read: "Jimmy Butler and his representative have indicated that they wish to be traded, therefore, we will listen to offers."

And with the exception of Butler perhaps poking fun at the situation at a coffee shop, things have been relatively quiet in the week and change since the dueling statements.

But the lack of fireworks doesn't make it feel any less likely that a deal will get done. Butler has probably played his last game for the Heat. And though he may prefer one destination (more on that later), Miami is under no obligation to send him there.

Betting odds suggest multiple teams are in play, and some of them—like the San Antonio Spurs or Houston Rockets—make some sense.

But there are other rumored suitors that shouldn't be dying to take on the 35-year-old potential 2025 free agent who's blown up multiple former situations on his way out the door.

With the caveat that a team has to have been mentioned or listed as a possible destination to qualify, here are the worst possible Butler landing spots.

Sacramento Kings

Since they replaced Mike Brown with interim coach Doug Christie, things seem to have stabilized a bit for the Sacramento Kings.

But it still feels like the team is a tier (or two) away from being a legitimate contender, and it may be tempting to think Butler can get them there.

After all, he was the driving force behind two unexpected NBA Finals appearances for the Heat.

There are some key differences between this possibility and the one that emerged when Butler first went to Miami, though.

For one thing, he's six years older. For another, the Heat had an emerging perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate in Bam Adebayo.

Today, Sacramento is a team without a defensive anchor (though it's near the top 10 in defensive efficiency this season). In his mid-30s and as a wing, it's too much to ask of Butler to be that.

And the trickier issue might be on the other end. Butler is often on the ball and doesn't shoot threes in volume. The Kings are in dire need of additional three-point shooting, and Butler just wouldn't provide that.

Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers would have similar issues trying to fit Butler into their mix.

Sacramento has tons of shots and usage tied up in De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis. L.A. has that with LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

But the Lakers have the added concerns that come with age. Butler's 35, LeBron is 40 and AD is an oft-injured, soon-to-be 32.

Mortgaging a future that currently includes multiple first-round draft picks, Austin Reaves (who'd probably have to be included in a Butler deal), Dalton Knecht and Max Christie just doesn't make sense right now.

As good as Butler still is (he's had a top 30-40 impact this season), he probably wouldn't make L.A. a great bet to emerge from the West and end up in the Finals. Getting marginally closer to that goal isn't worth what it would cost to get Butler.

Dallas Mavericks

If it wasn't clear already, the way the team has played while Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving are both out has proven this supporting cast is good enough for the Dallas Mavericks to contend for a championship.

And beyond the talent this front office has assembled in Dallas, the "other" guys fit Luka and Kyrie almost perfectly.

The two stars can dominate the ball in the middle of the floor or play off each other, while the rest of the roster is loaded with three-and-D versatility and two of the league's better rim-running big men.

Sacrificing any portion of that for a past-his-prime wing who'll take ball-handling possessions away from Luka and Kyrie—two of the game's best offensive players—doesn't make sense, even if Butler is better in a vacuum than any of Dallas' current role players.

Phoenix Suns

Most of the buzz about a Butler trade has included the Phoenix Suns, in large part because that's reportedly where he wants to end up.

But even if the Suns can convince Miami to take on Beal's contract (or be a facilitator that sends Beal to a third team), Phoenix adding Butler would feel as much like rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic as it would a move toward contention.

Finding the on-ball balance between him, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker would be difficult, bordering on impossible. Butler is certainly better than Beal right now, but replacing Beal's three-point shooting with Butler's mid-range and slashing game would crowd the floor on offense. And starting two wings (or forwards) in their mid- to late-30s in a conference with the young and hyper-athletic Oklahoma City Thunder sounds like a recipe for losing.

And beyond all of that, the Suns are already strapped for trade assets, thanks to their earlier deals for Durant and Beal. They're over the second apron. The only first-round pick they control in the foreseeable future is in 2031. Gambling what they have left on Butler would not be wise (unless it's just a ploy to get out of Beal's contract).