Michael Nyarko
This offseason, there were rumors about the Miami Heat potentially trading Jimmy Butler, but he chose to stay with the team despite not agreeing to a contract extension, as reported by The Athletic’s Shams Charania two months ago.
Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports that a trade involving Butler before the start of the 2024/25 season is unlikely. He notes that if the Heat were serious about moving Butler, they would have explored trade options around the draft or the beginning of free agency.
Any potential trade involving Butler is probably not going to happen until at least December 15, when most players who signed this summer become trade-eligible. It might not even be on the table until closer to the February 6 trade deadline.
Butler, who stands 6’7″, had another strong season when healthy. In 60 games, he averaged 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game for the Heat, who finished the 2023/24 season with a 46-36 record.
However, he missed the team’s first-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics due to an MCL sprain. Since joining the Heat in a sign-and-trade deal in the summer of 2019, Butler has led the team to two NBA Finals and three Eastern Conference Finals.
This spring, there was speculation that Butler might look for a new team because he was reportedly seeking a two-year, max-salary extension. However, Heat president Pat Riley showed hesitancy in offering that deal to the 34-year-old, who has had recent injury concerns.
If Butler is to depart from Miami mid-season, he’s likely to rejoin the Philadelphia 76ers, even though teams like the Houston Rockets have the swingman on their radar.
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Despite some interest in Marcus Morris, Winderman suggests that significant moves for the team are unlikely this offseason. They might only pursue a rotation player if they can secure one at the veteran’s minimum.