It's only been about six weeks since the Miami Heat traded Jimmy Butler, and the early returns haven't exactly looked good for them. The Heat have been a tire fire without Butler, losing eight straight games, while the Warriors are white hot.
Since dealing Butler to the Golden State Warriors, the Heat have cooled off, going just 4-13 post-Butler. That has dropped them to just 10th in the Eastern Conference, and they are looking increasingly like a lottery pick. Even so, it's easy to find a silver lining in their situation.
For one, the Heat could very well keep their lottery-protected pick that they owe the Oklahoma City Thunder this season—though they would have to give the pick up next season with it being unprotected then.
Given the Heat's track record in the draft, having selected Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo, Kell'el Ware, and Jaime Jacques Jr., it's possible they could find another good player who could help them with the ninth pick.
There's a big silver lining from the Miami Heat trading Jimmy Butler to the Golden State Warriors
Better still, with the Warriors surging with Butler, having gone 13-2 with him, Golden State will have to give up their protected first-round pick that was included in the trade. The Heat probably hope that the Warriors will cool off some to improve that pick.
Even so, it's currently projected to be 22nd in this year's draft. All things considered, moving on from Butler, who was becoming a major distraction, and getting a useful asset like a decent first is good news for Miami.
Not only that, but they could theoretically pair their pick and the Warriors' pick to move up in the draft. They could possibly nab an impact player who can add to their core of Herro, Adebayo, and Ware.
Another option is that it could open the door for them to trade for a player such as Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant. Offering up a potential top-10 pick, a possible top-20 pick, another future first, Kyle Anderson, Terry Rozier, and Duncan Robinson in a package for Durant would be massive for the Heat.
It would allow them to potentially get rid of their worst player in Rozier, keep Herro and Adebayo, and add a certified superstar in KD. That would be the dream offseason scenario for Miami, but even if they don't make such a move, taking a step back this season could propel them forward. After all, they will have not one but two chances to find a key player in the draft thanks to the Butler trade.