The latest developments surrounding the Miami Heat and a possible Jimmy Butler trade haven't been encouraging. According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, the Heat had been lowballed in offers from other teams. That is likely do to him being on an expiring contract, and it seems increasingly likely that the Heat may keep Butler beyond the trade deadline.
"I think the Heat and Jimmy Butler are staring down the reality of him returning, having to play for the Heat when this suspension ends."
— UNSPORTSMANLIKE Radio (@UnSportsESPN) January 8, 2025
From what @WindhorstESPN understands, there is no traction on any offer that the Miami Heat have progressed on for Jimmy Butler. pic.twitter.com/SHh91x9ZCh
With teams knowing that he may have to be moved in the next month, they aren't in any hurry to offer top dollar to try and land him. Not only that, but Butler has given the Heat a list of teams that he will consider re-signing with. In fact, he has already eliminated the Milwaukee Bucks and Memphis Grizzlies as possible destinations, according to Yahoo Sports Chris Haynes.
Sources: A few teams have been informed not to trade for Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler. #haynesbriefs pic.twitter.com/200eV8gjxk
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) January 7, 2025
With two contending teams off the board, that leaves only a handful of teams for the Heat to work with, including potentially the Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns. The Warriors have far more assets than the Suns do, but Butler appears to want to play in Phoenix more than Golden State, and the Suns appear to have mutual interest in him.
This was the reporting on December 12th on Jimmy Butler wanting to come to Phoenix. Nothing has changed. Jimmy wants to come to Phoenix. The Suns still want him. https://t.co/GPjGccTI0J
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) January 8, 2025
Particularly with Phoenix currently 10th in the West and on the verge of a major collapse. They have already benched two starters to try and jumpstart their playoff hopes, but they simply aren't deep enough to replace their production internally.
The Phoenix Suns are the perfect trade partner for the Miami Heat, but with a catch.
If Miami lowers their price for Butler and is forced to play ball with only Phoenix, then working out a deal with the Suns could be tricky. This is given their limitations as a second apron team and with them having very few assets. That is not to mention a potential deal being made much harder by the fact that Bradley Beal has a no-trade clause, which he may or may not waive to make a deal happen.
Beal would have to be included in a deal with the Heat to be able to match salaries. If he could get traded to the Heat, then he may be more willing to do so. However, if it turns into a three-team deal, with another team being looped into a potential Butler trade, then Beal could easily torpedo the deal. Beal is having a comparable season to Butler, but he is on a worse deal that will pay him $110 million over the next two seasons.
Normally, a team would have to pay to trade a contract away, but the Suns really only have Ryan Dunn and a 2031 unprotected first to offer the Heat. Dunn has the chance to be a terrific two-way wing, while that 2031 first could be a high selection. Even so, the Heat may opt to keep Butler through the season and let him leave for nothing, thus preserving future cap space.
Or, they could possibly work out a sign-and-trade with another team that can't sign Butler outright. That might be more preferable, but Butler also has a say. He can opt into his contract for next season and make things miserable for the Heat over the summer or into next year until they are forced to move him. Presumably for less than they may get now.
Ultimately, if the Suns are the only team that Butler wants to play for and they can somehow find a way to scare up more assets, then the Heat should move him while they still can.