NBA Trades: 6 teams that could lure Jimmy Butler away from the Heat next summer

Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler is set to become an unrestricted free agent after next season. After the Heat declined to extend him, he could very well hit the open market next summer, and a new report gives us our first idea of which teams may purse him. Let's take a look at six potential Butler suitors in the summer of 2025.

Brooklyn Nets

The Brooklyn Nets surprised many when they decided to trade star Mikal Bridges to the New York Knicks earlier this summer, after giving no indication that they'd move him. That deal suggested that they were going to lean into a rebuild, especially ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft that features generational talent.

Now, according to the New York Post, the Nets and Butler have mutual interest in joining up next summer. That is equally surprising with Butler making no sense on the Nets', even if they land the number one pick. Also, while they may be willing to meet his contract demands, would Butler really be willing to potentially play out the remainder of his career on a non-contender?

The Butler rumor makes little sense for both him and the Brooklyn Nets. Be that as it may, with Ben Simmons and his $40 million expiring contract coming off the books after this season, the Nets could have cap space and have to use it one way or another.

In theory, they could sign Butler with the understanding that if they can't build a winner, then they could trade him to his destination of choice. That isn't too far-fetched; few good teams can afford to sign him outright so the Nets could receive assets by signing him and later trading him to a contender.