The Miami Heat aren’t on good terms with All-Star forward Jimmy Butler in the 2024-25 NBA season. The Heat have been hesitant to give Butler a contract extension, as his three-year, $146 million deal could expire in the summer of 2025 if he doesn’t pick up his $52 million player option.
One alternative the Heat have tried to explore with Butler involves the trade market. They have looked into potential trade options for the aging star. Teams like the Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets and Phoenix Suns have all been linked to the six-time All-Star.
According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, one Western Conference executive warned Miami to do what’s best for them instead of stressing about Butler. This came after Marks reported that the Heat could retain the forward through the Feb. 6 trade deadline. That is, unless, they receive a notable trade package.
“As for Butler’s future, there is a growing consensus among the teams I talked to that unless the six-time All-Star becomes a distraction, or the Heat receive a trade offer they cannot turn down, Butler will be on the Heat’s roster once the deadline passes,” Marks reported.
“As ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Dec. 10, Butler likely will decline his $52 million player option for next season, making him a free agent unless an extension is reached by June 30. The Heat are eligible to sign Butler to a two-year, $112.6 million extension. (His $52.4 million player option would be replaced by a $54.1 million salary in Year 1 of the extension.)”
NBA executive implies Miami Heat need to be selfish, even if it comes at Jimmy Butler’s expense: https://t.co/hhyQi2ebUO
— Heat Nation (@HeatNationCom) December 24, 2024
“Miami has to do what is best for them, not what is in the best interest for Butler,” an executive said.
Rising NBA star could be a trade target for the Miami Heat
The Miami Heat have recently been open to trading away Jimmy Butler. No players who could be traded for Butler have been named, although some teams have been mentioned as potential destinations for the All-Star.
Interestingly, Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz proposed that the Heat should target Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball as a potential exchange for the 35-year-old.
“If the Heat keep Jimmy Butler (or maybe even if they don’t), Ball is an intriguing talent to go after. Adding in Ball’s elite playmaking and scoring skills would help boost Miami’s offense closer to that of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics and New York Knicks, the top-three in the NBA,” Swartz wrote.
LaMelo Ball is having a grand year this season, averaging 30.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 7.5 assists.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen with Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
