Since joining the Miami Heat in 2019, forward Jimmy Butler has resumed being one of the top scorers in the NBA. But with only one year left on his contract, Miami appear to be ready to move him.
According to ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania, the Heat are “open” to hearing trade offers for Butler and are even willing to make a deal for the right price. Per the report, Butler’s agent Bernie Lee has stated that his preferred destinations are the Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks and Golden State Warriors.
“The Heat are open to listening to offers for Butler and making a deal if the proposal is right, league sources told ESPN, and Butler’s agent, Bernie Lee, has indicated in league circles that Butler is open to destinations such as two of the Texas teams (Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks) and the Golden State Warriors. Butler is a native of Houston, Texas. Above all, though, he is believed to prefer a win-now title contender in any trade. Teams have also been informed that Butler intends to opt out of his deal in the offseason and become a free agent, sources said. The Heat have hovered around the play-in tournament over the last two seasons, and with Butler’s contractual status, they have been open-minded to trade inquiries,” Charania wrote.
The Heat are open to listening to offers for Jimmy Butler, league sources told ESPN, and the six-time All-Star is believed to prefer a win-now contender in any trade. https://t.co/ifbfJY7ZPw
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 10, 2024
Through 17 games this season, Butler has been averaged 19 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game. His points per game average is its lowest since the 2018-19 season.
Butler has been a big piece of the Heat’s recent postseason success. In his five seasons with the team he’s led the team to the playoffs five times including two trips to the NBA Finals.
But at 35 years of age, Butler obviously has a lot more basketball behind him than in front of him.
Maybe a team will see Butler as the final piece to a championship puzzle, but it’s hard to envision him being a key part of an organization for the next three to four years.
Will Jimmy Butler finish the 2024-25 season with the Heat, or will he be traded before then?
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