The last month for Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat has been strange and eventful to say the least. Even bigger news has broken for the star last night.
The Reporting
Shams Charania of ESPN reported on December 10 that the Heat were open to trading Butler. Jimmy’s agent, Bernie Lee, denied that he wanted any sort of trade and that the rumors were indeed false.
Charania stood his ground and kept saying that the reports he made were true about Butler wanting out from Miami. Last night confirmed these reports, and Jimmy Butler has officially requested a trade.
What He’s Capable Of
Butler isn’t in his prime anymore, but is still more than capable of helping a team immediately contend for a championship. The All-Star has made the NBA Finals twice and is known for competing. This season, he is averaging 18.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.9 assists.
The teams Jimmy apparently wanted to play for were the Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns.
His contract will be a factor due to him having a player option on his final year. If he wanted, he can hit the market in the summer regardless. Butler could be a rental for a win-now team, so the return might not be a haul in Miami’s favor.
The Five Realistic Trades
1. Golden State Warriors
A possible Jimmy Butler landing spot is the Golden State Warriors, who have been searching for a star to pair with Steph Curry since last offseason. They have the assets to pull off a blockbuster trade such as this.
Miami receives:
Andrew Wiggins
Kyle Anderson
Jonathan Kuminga
Moses Moody
First-round pick swap
Golden State receives:
Jimmy Butler
Alec Burks
2. Philadelphia 76ers
Jimmy Butler played for Philadelphia back in the 2018-19 season, and flourished with Joel Embiid. Although the ending was a bit sour, a reunion could help the Sixers make a push this season.
Miami receives:
Paul George
Ricky Council IV
Reggie Jackson
Two first-round pick swaps
Philadelphia receives:
Jimmy Butler
Josh Christopher
3. Phoenix Suns
This has been the hottest team to be linked to the six time All-Star. If he were to waive his no-trade clause, the Suns could land Butler by most likely sending Bradley Beal to Miami.
Miami receives:
Bradley Beal
Josh Okogie
Damion Lee
Second-round pick
Phoenix receives:
Jimmy Butler
4. Houston Rockets
The Rockets have been taking off this season, and trading for Butler could be the true veteran presence that they’ve needed to excel.
Miami receives:
Jalen Green
Jae’Sean Tate
First-round pick
Second-round pick
Houston receives:
Jimmy Butler
5. Dallas Mavericks
After making the NBA Finals last season, the Mavs want to make it back. Adding a player like Butler could make that happen and they definitely have assets to move for him.
Miami receives:
Spencer Dinwiddie
Quentin Grimes
Kessler Edwards
Olivier Maxence-Prosper
Markieff Morris
First-round pick
Dallas receives:
Jimmy Butler
Pelle Larsson
For more sports content:
Follow us @HardwoodHeroics for your NBA and college basketball reading fix. You can reach out to Solomon Jones through email at [email protected]. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest sports news, click here!
