By Joel Perez 
All this talk about Jimmy Butler getting traded or leaving Miami has me riled up and pondering
the possibility. Yesterday, ESPN Senior NBA Insider Shams Charania reported that the Miami
Heat are open to listening to offers for Jimmy Butler. How true is that? I’d assume it’s fairly
accurate, purely based on the fact that the aging superstar has a player option for next year and
could easily opt out this summer, leaving the Heat with nothing in return. It would be bad
business for Miami’s front office not to at least explore what other teams might offer.
That said, I personally don’t see Jimmy Butler getting traded, simply because there doesn’t
seem to be a viable trade package out there that meets Miami’s needs. The rumored teams
Butler would be interested in include the Dallas Mavericks and the Houston Rockets, with the
Golden State Warriors also mentioned. Let’s break these down.
Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks don’t have much in the way of assets that I believe the Heat would seriously
consider. They do have two intriguing centers: Daniel Gafford, a 26-year-old on a team-friendly
deal for the next two seasons at about $13 million per year, and Derrick Lively, a 20-year-old
showing massive upside. Lively has already demonstrated flashes of becoming one of the
league’s premier big men, with great leaping ability and a strong feel around the basket. While
P.J. Washington could also be a part of a potential deal, I don’t see Dallas parting with their
young talent, nor do I see the Heat being overly interested in what Dallas has to offer.
Houston Rockets
The Rockets are a more plausible trade partner simply because of the depth of young talent on
their roster. Players like Amen Thompson stand out as incredible fits within “Heat Culture.”
Thompson, a versatile “Swiss army knife” on the court, excels in nearly every area except
shooting (which is still a work in progress). That said, I can’t see Houston giving up on a player
like Thompson in just his second year, especially given his clear potential.
Another intriguing option could be Jabari Smith Jr., who would fit seamlessly next to Bam
Adebayo due to his size and versatility. Tari Eason is also one of the league’s top defensive
disruptors, a player who could immediately elevate Miami’s defense. However, Houston’s young
core is just starting to show promise, and I don’t see them giving up on it so early, especially
without knowing if Butler alone would propel them to championship contention. It would be wiser
for the Rockets to see how far this group can go before making a move for a superstar.
Golden State Warriors
The Warriors could be an incredible chemistry fit for Jimmy alongside Steph Curry and
Draymond Green, but their available assets don’t seem overly appealing to the Heat either. A
trade package might include Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski, a veteran with a large
cap figure, and some first-round picks. While Kuminga is a talented wing, he hasn’t yet shown
enough to be considered a premier talent, and his impending contract extension this summer
makes him a less attractive option for Miami. If the Heat have to worry about Kuminga’s next
deal, they might as well focus on retaining Jimmy.
The Likeliest Outcome
At the end of the day, I don’t see Jimmy Butler leaving Miami anytime soon. I believe Butler
wants to stay but on a deal that works for him, and I think Miami values him as the closest thing
to a superstar they can realistically acquire in the current market. Perhaps the solution lies in a
compromise—a max three-year deal that satisfies both sides.
While trade rumors will continue to swirl, it seems unlikely that Miami will find a deal enticing
enough to move on from Butler. For now, it makes the most sense for both sides to find common
ground and focus on building a team capable of competing at the highest level.
Angel Rivera