With conflicting reports that the Miami Heat are open to trading star Jimmy Butler, it presents them with an interesting opportunity. The Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors, and Dallas Mavericks have all been linked to Butler, and each has assets that should be of interest to the Heat.
The Warriors can match salaries by including players such as Andrew Wiggins, Jonathan Kuminga, and De'Anthony Milton and offering a 2025 first-round pick. Kuminga and a first would be a solid return for a 35-year-old that the Heat don't appear willing to pay to keep.
Meanwhile, the Mavericks can offer several rotation players, including Klay Thompson, as well as a distant first-round pick. Lastly, the Rockets have a slew of intriguing young players, though they would likely trade veterans and picks to try and get a deal done. Dillon Brooks, Jeff Green, and Steven Adams, along with at least one first-round pick, might be close to what they offer Miami.
Some of those potential trade packages may not excite Heat fans, but moving on from Butler would be the right call. It appears that the two sides are still far apart on a deal, and if they can't retain him, then they should look to trade him for future assets.
The Miami Heat should strongly consider moving Jimmy Butler.
Especially if that includes receiving picks in return, given that they have among the fewest draft assets in the NBA. While the Heat don't normally rely on the draft, when they do, they often strike gold. Former first-round pick Tyler Herro is having a career season, averaging 24.2 points per game.
While fellow former first-round pick Bam Adebayo is considered to be the future of the franchise. Add in more recent selections such as Jaime Jacques Jr. and Kell'el Ware, and the Heat should look to acquire more firsts to give them more chances to replicate their draft success.
The decision to move on from Butler is perhaps made easier by the top of the Eastern Conference. Few people believe that the Heat can take down the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, or New York Knicks in a seven-game playoff series. There is even some doubt that they can make the playoffs.
As a result, the Heat should look to trade Butler and try to retool over the next couple of seasons in the hopes of improving their roster for the long term. With the Warriors, Mavs, and Rockets interested, the Heat should be able to find a deal that helps them do just that.