Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler is entering the final guaranteed year of his three-year, $146.4 million contract, and it seems like he may already be eyeing his next big payday.
Earlier this year, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reported that Butler was “expected to seek a maximum two-year contract extension worth about $113 million from the Heat this offseason.” However, Heat president Pat Riley was hesitant to commit to such a large financial package during his end-of-season press conference.
“That’s a big decision on our part to commit those kinds of resources unless you have somebody who’s going to be there and available every single night,” Riley stated. “That’s the truth.”
Butler, now 35, has missed at least 15 games each season since joining the Heat five years ago. While “Playoff Jimmy” has led Miami to two NBA Finals and an Eastern Conference Finals appearance during that time, his regular-season absences have impacted the Heat’s playoff seeding. This uncertainty about his availability seems to be a sticking point in contract talks.
With Butler and the Heat seemingly at a standstill, rumors about his next destination are already swirling. In June, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that Butler plans to “play out next season on his existing contract” and is not expected to sign an extension with the Heat or any other team. Despite this, Charania noted Butler’s loyalty to Miami and his desire to stay with the team, a message likely intended to discourage trade discussions.
Meanwhile, in May, Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that the Philadelphia 76ers were prepared to offer Butler a max contract if he forced a trade. Butler has a history with the 76ers, having spent most of the 2018-19 season in Philadelphia, and both he and Sixers star Joel Embiid have publicly expressed mutual admiration. However, the Sixers’ acquisition of Paul George in free agency this offseason may have shut the door on a potential reunion with Butler.
While the 76ers are no longer in play, rumors about Butler’s interest in the Brooklyn Nets have picked up steam. Brian Lewis of the New York Post reported that “Butler isn’t just open to Brooklyn, but fond of it.” Additionally, Bob Windrem, on The Brooklyn Pod, claimed that “Jimmy Butler’s interest in the Brooklyn Nets is very, very real.” A key factor is his agent, Bernie Lee, who also represents Ben Simmons and has reportedly been pleased with how the Nets have handled Simmons.
However, the Nets are currently in rebuild mode after trading away their best player to the New York Knicks. They have one of the lowest projected win totals in the NBA for the upcoming season, making their appeal to Butler questionable. Is the allure of New York and the Nets’ treatment of his agent’s other client enough to draw him in?
Money could be a decisive factor. Danny Leroux of The Athletic noted that only a few teams, including the Nets and Washington Wizards, are expected to have the cap space to offer Butler a 30% max contract during the 2025 offseason. With limited options, Butler may be leveraging his interest in Brooklyn to pressure the Heat into a new deal.
If Butler and the Heat can’t reach an agreement, he could explore sign-and-trade options next offseason. However, the NBA’s salary cap rules could complicate such a move, particularly for teams projected to be over the salary cap apron, such as the Phoenix Suns, Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, and Cleveland Cavaliers. Other potential destinations, such as the Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks, may also struggle to create the necessary cap space.
There are other wild-card options as well. The Houston Rockets could emerge as a viable suitor for Butler if they decline their $44.9 million team option on Fred VanVleet. The Memphis Grizzlies and Oklahoma City Thunder could also potentially make a play for Butler depending on how their rosters and cap space evolve.
For now, Butler’s potential landing spots appear to be limited to Miami, Brooklyn, Washington, or perhaps a yet-to-be-determined wild card. With the Wizards also in rebuild mode, it seems Butler has chosen Brooklyn as a potential leverage point to strengthen his negotiating position with the Heat.
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