NBA Trades: Golden State lands Jimmy Butler in potential deal.
Ah yes, the Golden State Warriors. While Butler's preferred team appears to be in Texas, according to reporting, or Phoenix, according to Butler's hair, the Warriors arguably make the most sense of every potential suitor.
Unable to come to an agreement on a rookie-scale extension for Jonathan Kuminga, the writing on the wall suggests that the young forward may be on the move ahead of the trade deadline.
After parting ways with longtime Splash Brother Klay Thompson this summer, the Warriors are in dire need of adding veteran talent alongside Steph Curry in hopes of pursuing a fifth, and potentially final, championship of Curry's window.
To that point, Butler remains a strong postseason performer, one who impacts the game on both sides. Alongside Curry, Draymond Green, and shooters Buddy Hield, Brandin Podziemski, and Moses Moody, Butler could slide right in as the perfect fit.
The offer: Andrew Wiggins, De’Anthony Melton, Jonathan Kuminga, Lindy Waters III, a 2028 second-round pick via Atlanta
Losing Kuminga's and Wiggins's production would hurt Golden State, but Butler would give Golden State a sorely needed secondary shot creator.
Miami meanwhile adds an intriguing young player at a position of need in Kuminga in addition to a reliable wing in Wiggins. The Heat would have no true star, but that fits the "Heat Culture" if nothing else.
Kuminga, 22, is still young enough to develop into a star for the Heat and would have more runway to grow in Miami instead of Golden State. De'Anthony Melton effectually acts as a human trade exception due to his unfortunate continued injuries, and Lindy Watters III is an intriguing bench piece who helps facilitate the deal financially.
Grade for Heat: B+
Grade for Warriors: A
NBA Trades: The Orlando Magic goes all-in to acquire Butler in mock deal.
Like the Golden State Warriors, the Orlando Magic are a team poised to make a splash at the NBA trade deadline, should they opt to push in some of their chips. Despite injuries to both Paolo Banchero and, more recently, Franz Wagner, the Magic remain resilient and currently sit third in the East.
Despite injuries to both Paolo Banchero and, more recently, Franz Wagner, the Magic remain resilient and currently sit third in the East. Jimmy Butler is an imperfect match from a timeline perspective, but not a complete mismatch, as the Magic appear ready to compete, and with minimal names large enough to consider currently on the market, it's possible they could be convinced to make a move.
The offer: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, Anthony Black, Jett Howard, 2025 and 2026 second-round picks
For Miami, while the offer enables them to hold enough proven talent to remain toward the back end of the playoff conversation in the notably weak Eastern Conference, the true benefit for the Heat is in the potential of Anthony Black and Jett Howard. Both players have taken a slight step forward, and while they have yet to truly have their moment in the league, they've both shown strong flashes..
Orlando, meanwhile, adds a legitimate star who has plenty of experience playing in clutch moments. Unfortunately, his fit is a bit of a mixed bag, and he remains a bit advanced for their timeline, so while he could certainly benefit the team, the assets from Orlando could be used for arguably a better target, such as Anfernee Simons or De'Aaron Fox should he prove to be legitimately available.