Jimmy Butler‘s name has been raised in the trade rumors as the Miami Heat have been open to entertaining potential partners for Butler. However, one team that former NBA star Paul Pierce thinks should make a run for the six-time All-Star is the Denver Nuggets.
In 2023, the Nuggets faced the Heat in the finals. The Miami-based team was led by Butler but came up short against Nikola Jokic. In the 2024-25 NBA season, Denver requires a player who could help Jokic lead the team to contend for a title.
For Pierce, he thinks the Nuggets would benefit if they pursue Butler.
“This is about business,” Pierce said. “When you start talking about the business side of the game, when Jimmy Butler’s left with one year left on his contract, he’s desires for an extension. Which Pat Riley hasn’t given him yet, he’s looking to go somewhere else.”
“If I have to guess, if I have to put my GM cap on, the best fit for Jimmy Butler would probably be Denver Nuggets. I think they need another go-to guy to help Joke out, he’s been having one of the more dominant seasons of his career. He’s probably going to win MVP. But if they can find a way to add Jimmy Butler to the Denver Nuggets, I think you’re gonna see Jimmy and Joker raise another championship trophy — if they don’t have to play the Celtics.”
.@paulpierce34: The best fit for Jimmy Butler to me is the Denver Nuggets. pic.twitter.com/oV0OUFt8Uo
— Speak (@SpeakOnFS1) December 10, 2024
Since winning the title in 2023, the Nuggets lost Bruce Brown and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, two of their best perimeter defenders. With the addition of Butler, Denver could regain their composure and contend for the title.
What package can the Denver Nuggets form to trade for Butler?
Butler is still under contract with the Heat until the end of the 2024-25 NBA season. He can, however, extend his time with the South Beach team as he can exercise his $48 million player option for the 2025-26 NBA season.
Butler can only be traded if the Heat want to get rid of him without letting him leave. The organization is fortunate to have the ability to deal with the Denver Nuggets. Michael Porter Jr., Zeke Nnaji, Julian Strawther, Jalen Pickett, and draft picks are all items the Nuggets can send to Miami.
In exchange, Jokic and his team will receive Butler and Pelle Larson.
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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.
