The latest NBA superstar has officially joined the rumor mill. After months of pursuing an extension in Miami—an idea the organization has not been receptive to—Jimmy Butler is now the talk of the trade market. According to a Tuesday report by ESPN's Shams Charania, the Heat are "open to listening to offers" on Butler.
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
According to Charania, teams have been informed that Butler intends to decline his upcoming $52 million deal this offseason and become a free agent hoping to pursue one last large payday. Charania also stated that his belief is that Butler, above all, prefers to land with an organization with legitimate hopes of contending.
Miami currently sits 12-10 on the season, holding the fifth spot in the Eastern Conference. While they're certainly not title favorites, the Heat are no scrubs compared to the rest of the East, and Butler has already proven he can elevate the Heat come the postseason. Still, an opportunity to contend without necessarily carrying the club is not an unattractive idea.
According to Charania, Butler's agent, Bernie Lee, has signaled four preferred landing spots for Butler, including the Golden State Warriors, the Phoenix Suns, the Dallas Mavericks, and the Houston Rockets. The latter two appear particularly interesting for Butler, a Houston, Texas, native. It's important to note that Lee has since vehemently denied all that Charania reported.
So, who's lying? Did Charania have a bad source? Did Lee get caught trying to force the issue for his client? Lee has attempted to call out Charania previously, only for the insider to be vindicated shortly thereafter. So who's to say who is right? Butler's time in Miami appears to be soon ending, whether it happens by the trade deadline or this offseason.
With all of the rumors flying around about a potential Jimmy Butler trade, many have opted to explore what a deal might look like, including Bill DiFilippo of Uproxx, who provided six mock deals to find Jimmy Butler a new home.
We took a look at each deal, grading them for both sides.
NBA Trades: Potential deal sends Jimmy Butler to the Houston Rockets
On the surface, a trade to Houston makes a world of sense for all parties. Butler, again, is a Houston native. The Rockets, while talented, are not true contenders but arguably would be with Butler. Finally, the Rockets have a bevy of other picks and young, tradeable players that together could create a package deemed worthwhile for Miami while preserving enough assets to acquire another star this offseason.
Despite this, word is that Butler isn't exactly the Rockets "type" according to NBA Insider Jake Fischer.
"The Rockets have been adamant all season with their messaging that they do not want to make an in-season trade. Houston has been equally adamant that, when the time comes to pursue a marquee trade, it will prioritize age considerations to ensure that the new arrival is on a similar timeline with the existing array of on-the-rise recent first-round draftees that the Rockets have amassed;"Jake Fischer via The Stein Line
Despite this, Butler could be argued as the best available option to elevate Houston to the next level. Earlier offseason rumors of Giannis have quickly dispelled and Brandon Ingram's ankle injury has only further complicated his trade market. Houston sits second in the Western Conference. They've proven they can handle the regular season, but the postseason is a completely different animal.
Fred VanVleet certainly provides some post-season, but mostly off the bench. Dillion Brooks, should Houston retain him, has his own postseason track record, but Butler's experience vastly exceeds both of them. VanVleet and Brooks have a combined 38 postseason starts over their careers; Jimmy Butler has 39 over his two most recent appearances alone.
With the need clearly identified, now comes the fun; the proposed trade.
The offer: Dillon Brooks, Steven Adams, Jabari Smith Jr., the worst of their three 2027 first-round picks (their own, an unprotected pick from Phoenix, a pick swap with Brooklyn)
The ability for both Houston and Miami to remain competitive after this deal is a major positive for both sides. Miami is not looking to stockpile picks. With Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro, the Heat believes they can compete now and will want to ensure they continue to remain competitive.
Jabari Smith, while not yet reaching the expectations of a top-three pick, has grown into a strong, versatile defender who would form one of the most infuriating front courts to face alongside Bam Adebayo. That is only more true when factoring in the addition of Dillon Brooks. Factor in the two first-round picks and a pick-swap in 2027, and this is an enthusiastic yes for Miami.
The problem is it's extremely one-sided.
Neither Jabari Smith nor Dillion Brooks is untouchable by any means. However, despite the benefits of adding a player of Butler's caliber, they are still paying an enormous premium, factoring in the draft compensation, for the honor of extending a 35-year-old Butler who has averaged fewer than 60 games played over the past six seasons while only being named an All-Star twice in that time.
There are reasons for Houston to be interested in acquiring Jimmy Butler, but not at that enormous price.