Deadlines are a powerful ordeal in any line of work. They apply pressure and create urgency. As it stands right now, we are a little over one week away from the 2024-25 NBA Trade Deadline. And the closer we get, the more pressure will be put on the Heat to find Jimmy Butler–who’s serving his third team-sanctioned suspension this month–a new home.
ESPN NBA insider Brian Windhorst predicted Tuesday on First Take that Butler will be traded ahead of the Feb. 6 deadline. He also suggested that the asking price for the 35-year-old star has lowered.
“Jimmy Butler’s going to get traded,” Windhorst said. “I wasn’t sure about that maybe 7-10 days ago. I really am more sure than ever that that’s gonna happen. The Heat are trying to make it happen. They have backed down on their asks (from) teams 2-3 weeks ago when this whole saga really started. They’re willing to do more. More teams I think are going to weigh in here because the price is lower than just the Phoenix Suns, which is the way that it’s been.
“I do think there’s a chance that there’s a team out there that might be able to pick up a difference-making player for relatively cheap in this next week. Jimmy Butler’s price is at a point where more teams are in.”
"Jimmy Butler's going to get traded. I wasn't sure about that maybe 7-10 days ago. I really am more sure than ever that that's gonna happen. The Heat are trying to make it happen. … I do think there's a chance that there's a team out there that might be able to pick up a… pic.twitter.com/T6DCVYvN03
— Hot Hot Hoops (@hothothoops) January 28, 2025
He reiterated a similar sentiment on Butler’s asking price being reduced Monday night on Sportscenter with Scott Van Pelt.
“The Heat’s price has dropped,” Windhorst told Van Pelt. “They are willing to do more than they were when this all started last month. The Heat are trying to get this done.”
The Miami Heat have lowered their asking price for Jimmy Butler, per @WindhorstESPN
— Hot Hot Hoops (@hothothoops) January 28, 2025
“They are willing to do more than they were when this all started last month. The Heat are trying to get this done.” #HeatNation
(h/t @dru_star) pic.twitter.com/HkpgiJHACN
Windhorst does note that he doesn’t think any of the top teams are going to land Butler–but teams who are in the middle-of-the-pack that are older and heaving one last “hail mary” could be looking to add him.
Butler’s averaging 17.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.1 steals on 54.0 percent shooting and 36.1 percent from 3-point range through 25 games. He is coming off the most serious knee injury of his career (sprained MCL)–suffered with the play-in–while suffering numerous lower-body injuries over the last few seasons.
Since the New Year, he’s averaged just 11.4 points and 4.6 assists in 27.8 minutes per game, shooting 47.6 percent from the floor and just 3-of-8 (37.5 percent) from 3-point range.
Assuming the Heat aren’t able to find a multi-team deal with Phoenix–Butler’s preferred destination, who has one Bradley Beal-sized problem with his no-trade clause–one could assume that the Memphis Grizzlies, Milwaukee Bucks or even the Golden State Warriors could potentially re-negotiate with the Heat.
Each of those three teams–as well as the Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets and Philadelphia 76ers–have been floated as possible Butler destinations previously.
That doesn’t mean Miami will find a deal they like for any of these teams. Heck, who knows how many more teams will want to give up prized assets for Butler after the last two months–especially with a well-documented track record of ugly exits.
After all, it is still a first-apron team and will need to find ways to match Butler’s $48 million salary without taking back tons of long-term money. Trades get done when every side has urgency, though that doesn’t mean those roadblocks still don’t exist.
Do you think Jimmy Butler ultimately gets traded? Let us know in the comments!
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can we send k love home the way he hit kelel after that slam dunk was so unnecessary..took his big body jumped right into ware that had to hurt.what a douche
I had to restrain myself from going straight to the comment section lol. Lots of times more juicy here. No offense meant to the writers.
To Pat… decisions, decisions, decisions
De’Aron Fox wants out of Sacto and Kings now say they are ready to trade him. A three way trade that includes Jimmy and a third and possibly a fourth and fifth team with players Sacto likes could work. In addition to Butler, Miami could put anyone not named Herro, Bam or Ware on the table to make it happen.
Heat interested in Julius Randle? I hope not! We already have a PF. His name is Bam. Plus he’s a two-way player.
second team hell yes
Miami – Duncan, Terry and Julius would be second most expensive second unit in the NBA ($75.4M) just behind Phoenix – Beal, Nurkic and Grayson Allen ($83.9M).
Rather than getting another back-up PF, I would prefer for the Heat to acquire a quality, pass-first, starting point guard. They need someone who is a good point-of-attack defender, a good floor general and is able to set-up high percentage shots for the other players.
think we had one be he always gets hurt.no names come to my mind.that are attainable maybe give stevens a look as u have suggested numerous times.tys def a score first guy for good reasons.need a quickie that can break down a defense and make everybodys life easier.i think duncs the closest player we have to that.those pocket passes to bam always on point.those 2 are as spo says connected.
Fox would be the dream addition! I’m not against Randle as backup pf.
knicks got the better of that deal.think knicks okc are headed for a colllision
Doesn’t seem like we would get Fox. I do like Randle as a backup big for nights any of our bigs gets in foul trouble, off night, or relieve some minutes at certain times during the course of a game.
You’re driving me a bit crazy. The thought of Fox, Herro, Jovic, Bam, and Ware? Holy cow! Instant contender.
A girl can dream…
Hold your horses, we also need to see what the bench will look like. But yeah that starting five is crazy!
Randle as backup we’ll have another headcase…I do think he’s not gonna want a bench role. Fox…do it Pat.
fox wants to play with wemby
We have our own lanky 7 footer with a surname that starts with a W. Also a first rounder hehe
jovic is starting to look like a real good player hes a true 6 10 good nba body .he guards well.shoots well.overdribbles a little bit but overall pleased with his development.jaimes another story he has gone the opposite way.hes got to work on his shooting cause jaime highway at times has to much traffic to get by without an accident,tretorous road jaime highway right now.hopefully with a few new lanes opening(jumper pump fake) it will relieve some of the traffic
SunMan’s Trade Scenario #57,816
Memphis Receives:
SF Jimmy Butler
SF Hayward Highsmith
PF Kevin Love
Toronto Receives:
Brandon Clarke
Luke Kennard
Jake LaRavia
2025 & 2027 2nd Round Picks (Memphis)
Miami Receives:
PG Marcus Smart ($20.2M expiring contract),
SF Bruce Brown ($23M expiring contract)
C: Sandi Aldama** ($4.0M expiring contract)
SF Jaylen Wells* ($1.2M 4 year rookie contract)
2027 1st Round Pick (Memphis)
_________________________________________________________________________
*Jaylen Wells
DOB: 8/26/03 (21 years old)6’8″ 205 lbs11.7 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.7 apg, 38.8% – 3 ptRookie of the month (October-November 2024)Rated one of top 5 NBA rookies in 2024-2025
** Sandi Aldama
DOB: 1/10/01 (24 years old)7’0″ 210 lbs12.7 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 2.6 apg, 36.7% – 3ptExcellent back-up center
With this trade, the Miami Heat roster would look like this:
Centers: Ware, Aldama
Power Forwards: Bam, Johnson
Small Forwards: Jovic, Wells, Jaquez, Brown
Shooting Guards: Herro, Robinson, Burks, Larsson
Point Guards: Rozier, Smart, Richardson
Note: Miami would still be in a position to package the 2027 Memphis pick and one or more players in order to further upgrade the roster before the trade deadline.
k love hh theyd prob prefer rc and 30 than those stiffs rc and 30 not on the books
Beggars can’t be choosers. If they want Butler they need to give up someone of value. Highsmith is a good defender and they may need Love as insurance.
I don’t think Memphis is a desperate (beggar) team. I do think the Warriors, Bucks, Suns, Mavs and others fall more into that category – teams that are at least somewhat good, but with little chance to get to the finals without help. Butler imo would be a great addition for Memphis, but they do have an impressive group of young, athletic , skilled players.
Memphis has to compete with OKC and Houston, not to mention the Nuggets and Lakers nibbling at their butts. If they want a player who can give them an edge in the playoffs, without having to give up a starter, Butler is their man. If they aren’t willing, they may not make it out of the second round.
I agree. As of right now, it is possible that they don’t even get to the WCF. And if they want to go all in to try to win this season, Butler might be exactly the player to get them there. But, if not, their future is still bright. The same can’t be said for the other teams, most of whom have aging players. Again, imo, for those teams, it’s now or possibly never.
OKC, Houston, Memphis and San Antonio will be duking it out for at least the next 5 years.
With the right moves, we could be doing the same thing in the east
if riley spent 1/2 the amount of time our gm here did we’d have a deal done by now.sunman your incredible if i buy the heat one day you will be my gm,and rc the capologist .
Thanks heat. I try. I have a good feeling about what will come out of this chaos. Worse case scenario, Riley doesn’t pull the trigger and costs Butler another year of what limited time is left of his career. If Butler opts out this summer, Miami will have cap space. If he opts in, Miami will have an expiring contract to trade. Meanwhile, the youngsters will keep developing and other contracts will be expiring at the end 2026. Miami will then be in a position to recruit one of the big name free agents which will be available. It’s all good.
i really and i mean this wish u were our gm sun.your cooler looking that slick pat and work harder i believe .that said with jimmysbehavior hes turned off just about everybody in the nba most importantly hhhers. i wanted this to work out but its not going to happen.i want him traded not sure thats gonna happen.sit his ass end of bench and put a dunce cap on him.
The Heat should not try to accommodate Jimmy anymore. They should open this up to everyone, get the best deal they can. Trying to negotiate a complex move with the Suns would be really stupid if there are better options possible for this team, not for someone definitely leaving this team. One thing is for certain, Jimmy being on this team past the deadline is damaging to the Heat’s evolvement as a team. And there are offers out there. Get the best one but don’t end up doing nothing. That would be inexcusable.
who the f would want this aging once a ss not no mo.. injury prone. few years left.quit on team .i dont think theres a big market for me me.
Send him to a team that’s under .300. I don’t care if we get scraps in return. We can manage with scraps who are willing to play. I’m trying to think of all the tantrums that we’ve seen in past years, from Harden to Simmons, all the way back to Shaq in LA… I can’t think of any that’s more ridiculous than what Jimmy’s doing now.
The only thing missing in this debacle is a Latrell Sprewell/Carlesimo moment!
Definitely an extreme example lol
The only thing that comes to mind was when WR Brandon Marshall was on the Denver Broncos and wanted to get traded. He shows up to practice and he bats down every ball instead of catching it. That got him traded to Miami. Ironic.
scottie pippen not taking floor
Please Zo would pop out a the stands right quick
So after the Magic game I said that Spo shoud take Jimmy out of the starting lineup. And I also said that the Heat were issuing all of these mini suspensions so they could have plausable reasons to suspend him for the rest of the season if he’s not traded by the deadline. The next day, they told Jimmy he wouldn’t start the next game, he left practice early, and got suspended until the trade deadline.
I’m saying all this for two reasons. One, obviously, to show-off how smart I am and pat myself on the back. And two, because I think I’ve got a good feel for what is going on with the Heat at this point. I don’t know if they’re going to trade Jimmy or not. But I do believe that if they can’t find a good trade, they feel fine suspending him unpaid for the rest of the season, and figuring out the trade in the offseason.
And yes, it is possible his lawyer and agent can eventually get some of that money back. But it will take a long time and will cost Jimmy a lot of money and will probably be settled somewhere in the middle.
I’ve been saying the same since he gave his joy speech. I also started suggesting trading him almost exactly one year ago right now when we could’ve gotten a lot more for him. My biggest concern lately is I didn’t want him to suffer any injuries now that would drop his value to zero.
yeah, the irony is that most of us were asking for Jimmy to get traded long before this whole thing blew up. I started calling for the Jimmy trade after the Heat dropped from 5th to 8th in the two weeks before the playoffs last season. I was sure he was going to get traded this offseason. And I was making jokes about ‘we would have won if Jimmy Butler was still alive’ at the start of the season.
I would say that was Pat’s biggest mistake. He should have traded Jimmy last offseason. I think he was eyeing summer of ’26 and just figured he was better off letting Jimmy play out his contract.
Riley must have thought calling Butler out publicly would embarrass and motivate him to play his best basketball this season. It turned out to be a mistake and had the opposite effect.
Well that’s because Jimmy isn’t a true Alpha. He’s an alpha in costume because Riley has tried the bleep out of Herro multiple times and guess who wasn’t wearing a costume? Tyler 😉
everybodys diff.jimmy is a strange dude but when balling he was the reason why we were good
was a mistake.stupid move by pat.hes at fault cause jimmy is a diva they are treated differently ask jimmy johnson the football coach
The most recent BS story is that the 76ers are in on it and trading PG to the Heat. Bwahahahaha! Yeah bleeping right. Now that would be a move that would make me question Riley’s faculties.
I say take what the Grizz or Bucks offer, if they actually offer. Take it and run.
maxey lol
Ha, good one #1!
lol. maybe they can trade Paul George for Bradley Beal
Ha, good one #2!
Yes sir!