Jimmy Butler trade rumors are rife for a few weeksbut that doesn’t necessarily mean the Miami Heat will move him before the deadline. Actually, according to ESPN’s Bobby MarksThe buzz at the G League Showcase is that, barring an extremely enticing trade offer – or Butler becoming a distraction, which arrived before – he probably won’t go anywhere until the offseason.
Butler, 35, has a $52.4 million player option for next season and, according to Shams Charania of ESPNindicated that he would not get it back. In theory, he could decline the option today and sign a two-year, $112.6 million extension with Miami, but that doesn’t appear to be on the cards. If the Heat aren’t planning on extending or re-signing this offseason, then it’s in their best interest to trade him before February 6…if they’re worried he’ll leave for nothing, that is.
Miami, however, may not be particularly concerned about this possibility. Marc Stein of The Stein Line reported on December 14 that the Heat don’t think there will be much of a market for the six-time All-Star in free agency, and followed on Sunday saying they are “extremely confident that Butler will not be able to leave in free agency” because the Brooklyn Nets, the only team expected to have the cap space to sign him outright, are not expected to pursue him. If no other team can offer him anything close to a max deal and he’s not willing to take a huge pay cut, then he’ll only have two options: stay where he is or work with Miami on a sign-and-trade.
The Phoenix Suns would love to trade for Butler now, but their only theoretical path to acquire him, you have to trade Bradley Beal (and what little remains of their future draft assets). There are two huge hurdles: Beal has a no-trade clause, and there is “little evidence in circulation” to suggest the Heat have any interest in a Butler-Beal trade, according to The Stein Line. Beal, 31, has missed games with a sprained elbow, strained calf and knee swelling this season. After a recent practice, Beal suggested that no one in the Phoenix front office had spoken to him about potentially waiving his no-trade clause.
“Until one of them comes and says something to me and talks to me, it’s just out there,” Beal said. told reporters last Friday, via PHNX. “So I’m a Phoenix Sun and I’m here and I’m not wearing a uniform, but I don’t pay attention to it, man.”
Last Friday, Butler left the Miami game in the first quarter after appearing to twist his ankle. He was then ruled out for the remainder of the game with a stomach illness, a 114–107 loss. Butler also missed the Heat’s 121-114 loss to the Orlando Magic on Saturday because of a stomach illness. He is listed as questionable for their game against the Brooklyn Nets on Monday.
