Why Cavs Trading for Jimmy Butler is a Terrible Idea
While Jimmy Butler would be a great on-court fit for the Cavaliers, the trade would be fraught with issues.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have struggled to fill the small forward position since LeBron James left for the second time in 2018. This season, the Cavs tried Isaac Okoro, Max Strus, Caris LeVert, Georges Niang, Dean Wade, Evan Mobley, Marcus Morris Sr., and others, but none have proven to be a long-term solution.
Injuries have played a significant role, but after more than five years, the Cavs still lack a permanent answer at small forward. With limited assets, many wonder if Cleveland can upgrade the position through a trade this summer. One intriguing name among fans is Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler, who might be available if circumstances allow.
With a respected playoff history, Butler is reportedly seeking a $113 million extension with the Heat. If Miami hesitates to commit to the aging star, Cleveland could potentially swoop in. However, trading for Butler would be a terrible idea and could undermine everything the Cavs have built so far, especially considering Butler’s age.
Why Father Time is Keeping the Cavs from Trading for Jimmy Butler
On paper, Butler seems like a good fit for the Cavs, offering a solution at small forward for a few seasons. However, trading for Butler would require committing to his financial demands. No front office would trade valuable assets for a star only to lose him in free agency—a fireable offense.
Acquiring Butler would mean committing to a max extension for the 34-year-old star. The Cavs would need to be confident in their willingness to go all-in to win now, believing their team is mature enough to compete for a title.
Butler would be 35 at the start of the next season, with a possible extension lasting through 2026-27, when he’d be 37. The second-oldest player on the Cavs would be Georges Niang, who will be 31 at the start of next season. The only other Cleveland player in his 30s would be Caris LeVert, who turns 30 in August.
Everyone else on the Cavs would be under 30, and fitting role players like Niang and LeVert into Cleveland’s current timeline is manageable. But Butler isn’t a role player—he’s a star. Acquiring Butler and signing him to an extension through the 2026-27 season would cause a massive shift.
Unfortunately, this shift could recreate a situation similar to what Butler is experiencing in Miami, where the Cavs would need to tear down what they’ve built to maximize the limited time with a Butler-Mitchell duo. Moreover, Cleveland would likely have to give up both Jarrett Allen and Darius Garland to acquire Butler, further straining their options.
On paper, bringing in Butler for his position and skill set makes sense. Unfortunately, age, cost, and other factors make it clear that Cleveland is better off looking elsewhere.
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