BREAKING NEWS: Miami Heat finally trade Jimmy Butler
BREAKING NEWS: Miami Heat finally trade Jimmy Butler
Looking at the Miami Heat’s current scenario, it’s easy to see that star wing Jimmy Butler could be on the move in the coming days. Despite his talent, NBA postseason production, and leadership ability throughout the previous five seasons with the Heat, Butler missed 22 games and the whole playoffs this year due to injury. The Heat are not eager to trade Butler, but they may have no choice as the organization considers its future.
If the Heat do trade Butler, it would be to a contender—or at least a likely playoff team. The Knicks and a reunion with Tom Thibodeau has been mentioned. The Sixers and their ample cap space has been mentioned. The Warriors figure to be interested, as well as the Mavericks and Lakers.
However, the consensus around the NBA is that the Heat will not deal Butler simply to get rid of him. He is under contract for $49 million next season, with a player option for $53 million the following season. While most situations would require the Heat to either extend (he wants two more years) or trade Butler before he reaches the probable end of his deal, the Heat may risk that Butler’s situation is unique.
And if there is a trade to be had, according to some NBA execs, there is a clear preferred swap partner: The Warriors.
Miami Heat Need a Bam Adebayo Co-Star
What’s the reason? While the best offers for Butler are primarily based on future draft picks, the Heat already have a player in his prime: Bam Adebayo, the 27-year-old center who will be the franchise’s face if Butler leaves.
The Heat are not dealing Butler to rebuild. They’d only deal him if they could acquire a younger star closer to Adebayo’s age in exchange. Last season, Adebayo averaged 19.3 points and 10.4 rebounds, placing him among the finest two-way players in the NBA.
Team president Pat Riley is not going into the 2024-25 season in a rebuilding mode. No way.
“If they’re going to start over, they’d need to trade Bam, too,” on NBA executive told Heavy Sports. “They’re not doing that. They’re going to want to send out Jimmy Butler for a young guy who fits alongside what they’re trying to do with Bam. The Miami Heat, they’re not looking for picks. They’re not looking for Julius Randle.
“The Warriors are the only team that can check every box for them.”
Randle would be the salary-matching chip the Knicks could send back to the Heat.
Jimmy Butler Trade Would Need to Yield Jonathan Kuminga
What would a Warriors-Miami Heat trade centered around Butler look like?
That gets tricky, but the key would be two players who could fit the mold of what the Heat are looking for: a young rising star to team with Adebayo in Jonathan Kuminga and a quality two-way wing to replace Butler, in Andrew Wiggins.
“Kuminga would be the key,” the exec said. “He plays with so much force, he has that same kind of violent approach as Bam. They want that, they want to play with force and physicality.”
The Warriors would need to add salaries to make a deal work, including Gary Payton Jr. and another player. It should be noted that Golden State has shown no inkling toward trading Kuminga, who began to blossom last season (16.1 points, 52.9% shooting).
But if the Heat are to be serious about trading Butler, a Warriors deal with Wiggins and Kuminga as the starting point would be a necessity.
Leave a Reply