Trading for Jimmy Butler has proven to be a wise option for the Miami Heat. Despite reaching the NBA Finals twice in five seasons, everyone in Miami would agree that he didn’t accomplish what he came to South Beach for.
Butler, however, is about to turn 35 before the 2024-25 NBA season begins, and he expects the Heat to offer him a maximum contract extension this summer. However, there is no assurance Butler will receive the deal he seeks, at least not from Miami.
According to Kurt Helin of NBC Sports, numerous NBA teams reportedly believe Miami is more inclined to trade Butler instead of committing to another huge contract for the two-way star.
“Despite what Pat Riley said at his press conference, there are rumblings from other teams that Miami could be open to parting ways with Jimmy Butler rather than extending him (although he most likely stays).”
NBC Sports’ Kurt Helin on the Miami Heat’s preference to deal Jimmy Butler.
Butler is currently due to make $48.7 million next season, but the five-time All-NBA star is anticipated to activate his $52 million player option and become a free agent. That is, unless the six-time All-Star with 12 years of experience experiences a precipitous dip in performance or develops additional durability difficulties.
As wonderful as Butler has been in Miami, he hasn’t played more than 64 games in a regular season since joining the Heat, and this past year, he missed 22 games, including the whole postseason. They’ve also been pursuing a third star to combine with Bam Adebayo and Butler, but it’s possible the Heat consider Butler as their most valuable trade chip and want to go looking for a superstar instead.
