Kofi Inkoom
According to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, the San Antonio Spurs are open to entertaining offers for Keldon Johnson. Additionally, there are rumors swirling about the Miami Heat potentially moving six-time All-Star Jimmy Butler this summer.
Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report has even proposed a trade that would see the Spurs acquire Butler from the Heat during the offseason.
Bailey proposed the following trade between the Spurs and Heat:
Jimmy Butler in exchange for Keldon Johnson, Jeremy Sochan, Zach Collins, a 2024 first-round pick (via Toronto), a 2027 first-round pick, and a 2029 first-round pick.
“If we assume even moderate improvement from the Frenchman this offseason, it’s hard to imagine the Spurs at the bottom of the standings again,” Bailey wrote. “So, instead of angling for an outside shot at Cooper Flagg or Ace Bailey, San Antonio could make a win-now move, nabbing one of the league’s best playmaking wings and an all-time great playoff performer in Jimmy Butler. Though the current expectation is that Butler plays for the Miami Heat in 2024-25, there’s a case for moving him. Durability is becoming a real question for the 34-year-old, and Miami was nowhere near contention this season.”
Butler is eligible for a contract extension this offseason. He is set to earn $48.8 million next season and has a player option worth $52.4 million for the 2025-26 season.
Turning 35 in September, Butler didn’t play in the Heat’s first-round playoff loss to the Boston Celtics due to a knee injury. This season, he averaged 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists while shooting 49.9% from the field, 41.4% from three-point range, and 85.8% from the free-throw line.
Victor Wembanyama had an outstanding rookie season for the Spurs, averaging 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.2 steals, and 3.6 blocks, shooting 46.5% overall, 32.5% from three-point range, and 79.6% from the free-throw line.
Butler joined the Miami Heat in the summer of 2019 through a sign-and-trade deal with the 76ers’ and has led Miami to the NBA Finals on two occasions. Given the Spurs’ need for more talent to support Wembanyama, Bailey believes the team should pursue Jimmy.