The Miami Heat find themselves at a crossroads, and it appears that star wing Jimmy Butler might be on the move. Despite his immense talent, postseason production, and leadership over the past five seasons, Butler’s recent injuries—which caused him to miss 22 games and all of the playoffs this year—have the Heat reconsidering their options. While trading Butler is not the team’s preference, the decision could be inevitable as they plan for the future.
If Butler is traded, it will be to a contender or a likely playoff team. Potential suitors include the Knicks, where he could reunite with Tom Thibodeau, the Sixers with their ample cap space, the Warriors, Mavericks, and Lakers.
However, league insiders believe the Heat won’t trade Butler just to offload him. Butler is under contract for $49 million next season with a player option for $53 million the following year. Typically, the Heat would either extend Butler (he seeks two more years) or trade him before he enters the final year of his contract. Yet, the Heat might gamble on Butler’s unique situation.
Miami Heat Need a Co-Star for Bam Adebayo
If a trade occurs, some NBA executives suggest the Warriors as the ideal trade partner. The Heat are not looking to rebuild but to retool around Bam Adebayo, the 27-year-old center who averaged 19.3 points and 10.4 rebounds last season and is among the NBA’s top two-way players.
Pat Riley, the team president, is not considering a rebuilding phase for the 2024-25 season. “If they’re going to start over, they’d need to trade Bam, too,” an 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.”
Randle could be a salary-matching piece for the Knicks, but the Warriors are seen as the only team that can meet Miami’s demands.
Potential Trade: Butler to the Warriors
A trade involving the Warriors would hinge on two key players: Jonathan Kuminga and Andrew Wiggins. Kuminga is viewed as a rising star who plays with a force and physicality reminiscent of Adebayo, while Wiggins would replace Butler as a quality two-way wing.
“Kuminga would be the key,” the executive 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.”
To make the deal work, the Warriors would also need to include salaries such as Gary Payton Jr. and another player. It’s important to note that Golden State has shown no interest in trading Kuminga, who began to blossom last season with averages of 16.1 points and 52.9% shooting.
If the Heat are serious about trading Butler, a package starting with Wiggins and Kuminga would be essential for any deal with the Warriors.
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