It appears increasingly likely that the Miami Heat will entertain trade offers for star player Jimmy Butler this offseason.
The five-year tenure of Jimmy Butler with the Miami Heat might soon come to a close. Following Miami’s first-round playoff loss to the eventual champion Boston Celtics, Heat’s front office head Pat Riley publicly criticized Butler. This criticism came after an injury-plagued season finale in which Butler was unable to participate in the playoffs. At 34, Butler’s timeline might no longer align with the Heat’s plans, fueling ongoing trade rumors.
Matt Moore of The Action Network recently added weight to these trade speculations.
“Butler has one more year left on his deal with the Heat. The Heat don’t have to trade him. Whether you think having Jimmy Butler disgruntled in the final year of a deal sounds like a fun time is certainly something everyone has to decide,” Moore noted. “But there’s at least a feeling in league circles that if the Heat decide not to extend him at his preferred price, they’ll facilitate a deal.”
Butler is seeking an extension worth around $113 million over two seasons. This latest information coincides with reports that both the Philadelphia 76ers and Golden State Warriors would be interested in acquiring Butler if he were available.
Butler played for Philadelphia during part of the 2018-19 season, and there is a sentiment within the 76ers’ front office that letting him leave for Miami was a mistake. Meanwhile, the Warriors are frequently mentioned in connection with potential wing players to complement Stephen Curry.
Jimmy Butler Stats (2023-24): 20.8 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 5.0 APG, 50% shooting
However, meeting Butler’s contract demands along with Miami’s trade requirements might prove too costly for interested teams. Notably, Butler hasn’t played more than 65 games in a season since his time with the Chicago Bulls in 2016-17.
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