We are nearing a week until the 2024-25 NBA Trade Deadline, set for Thursday, Feb. 6 at 3:00 p.m. EST. Still, the biggest domino to fall is where Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler might ultimately land, though there’s just as much uncertainty as to who is interested and what teams would be willing to give up for the disgruntled 35-year-old star.
ESPN NBA insider Brian Windhorst has iterated multiple times this week that the Heat’s asking price has lowered for Butler, who’s currently serving his third team-sanctioned suspension this month, this time for withholding services.
One of those teams that reportedly is re-interested in his services is the Golden State Warriors, who has been linked to Butler since the summer, but reportedly backed away in early January in part due to the price. While the Heat are reluctant to take back long-term money–specifically beyond 2026–in any Butler deal, one player who they should prioritize in any Butler-Warriors package is wing Andrew Wiggins.
Why the Miami Heat should pursue Andrew Wiggins:
Both the Golden State Warriors and Miami Heat are trying to fight to stay above .500. Golden State improved to 23-23 after Tuesday night’s 114-103 win over the Utah Jazz–without Stephen Curry–while the Heat improved to 23-22 after a double-overtime thriller Monday against the Orlando Magic.
Neither team is in a real position to contend right now, though the Warriors’ interest in acquiring another star alongside Curry is well-documented at this point. Given Butler’s $48 million salary and the Warriors being hard-capped below the first apron, any trade between the two sides ahead of next week’s deadline would be incredibly complicated and almost certainly have to involve at least one other team.
In any case, the most likely player out the door is Andrew Wiggins, who owns a $26.3 million salary this season, a $28.2 million salary next year capped by a $30.2 million player option in 2026-27. While that does violate the Heat’s requirement in terms of taking back long-term salary, he would be a superb two-way wing to surround Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo and Kel’el Ware.
Through 40 games, Wiggins has averaged 17.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 0.9 steals in 29.8 minutes, shooting 44.3 percent from the floor, 37.8 percent from 3-point range and 78.8 percent from the charity stripe.
He’s been a reliable catch-and-shoot 3-point shooter for Golden State, knocking down 39.5 percent of his spot-up attempts from deep while being arguably their best point-of-attack defender, showcasing the ability to guard at least 2-3 positions on a nightly basis.
According to Basketball Index, Wiggins has graded out in the 93rd percentile or better in perimeter isolation defense and in the 96th percentile or better in matchup difficulty; he’s routinely guarded the best on a nightly basis and has done an excellent job against them in space with very good feet, balance and hands. The Heat need point-of-attack defense, and he would instantly be one of their top options.
The top 10 in Perimeter Isolation Defense
— BBall Index (@The_BBall_Index) January 13, 2025
1. Dyson Daniels
2. Bilal Coulibaly
3. Luguentz Dort
4. Davion Mitchell
5. Andrew Nembhard
6. Toumani Camara
7. Jaden McDaniels
8. Andrew Wiggins
9. Jeremy Sochan
10.Jaylen Wells
Metric Explainer pic.twitter.com/Hgqi20YZNi
Not to mention, he’s also graded out in the 66th percentile or better in defensive role versatility in four of the last five years. Thus, he can switch onto multiple positions with his 6-foot-7, 200-pound frame (7-foot) and hold his own. He’s a skilled shot blocker for his size and plays stronger than he looks.
If Miami really wants to embrace a switchable Jovic-Bam-Ware front line, Wiggins would be another lanky option as a seamless fit.
Offensively, Wiggins is a big-time threat as a spot-up shooter. The 6-foot-7 wing has nailed at least 39 percent of his spot-up 3s in three of his last four seasons and at least 38 percent in four of his last five. It’s worth noting that his catch-and-shoot 3-point shooting accounted for at least 25 percent of his shot diet in each of those five years, indicating that it’s not on low volume.
While it’s not a frequent part of his game, Wiggins is also a viable cutter too. He does a good job finding open creases along the baseline and at the wing with solid touch around the rim. According to NBA.com’s tracking data, he’s posting 1.4 points per possession on cuts this season, good enough for the 64th percentile, a mark he’s reached in three of the last five seasons. He’s also an active offensive rebounder for his position, hauling down at least five percent of his team’s misses the last three seasons, according to Cleaning The Glass.
There’s no question that his $85 million may be too much to stomach if Miami isn’t contending. With the impending salary cap bump, his projected percentage of cap allocation is 18.3 and 17.8 percent over the next two seasons, respectively. If needed, that’s enough for Wiggins’ salary to be a salary filler in a bigger trade, should one arise over the next two seasons, but not enough for a team to completely scoff and holler, “Bad contract!” It projects to be movable as an expiring if Miami wants to have its flexibility in 2026, even though landing a primetime free agent is far less likely than it was 10-15 years ago.
Nevertheless, Andrew Wiggins could be a perfect connective tissue around Herro, Adebayo and Ware as the Heat enter this next phase minus Butler. Miami needs as many two-way players as possible, and he fits perfectly into that with his 3-point shooting, shot-blocking, offensive-rebounding and reliability defensively against the opposing team’s toughest assignments.
Let’s also not forget that he was the second-most-important player on an NBA Title team three seasons ago, and still isn’t 30-years-old.
What do you think about Andrew Wiggins’ fit with the Miami Heat? Let us know in the comments!
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Nice write up Matt
Thank you! Much appreciated!
On a separate issue…how about Rozier for Kuzma? Both having down years.
Don’t listen to Vagibugi – do it! 😆
I dont like Wiggins as a player. But he can bring something on the table.
It seems fairly realistic, that Wiggins could be part of a Butler trade if Golden State is serious. Golden State should be as they are the team, in my opinion, that would benefit the most from acquiring Jimmy. They are all at the back nine of their careers, but could still have one last hurrah together.
On our side, I am with you guys that this is perhaps the best we can get.
I agree. The teams that have the shortest timeline to make a run are, in no particular order, Suns, Warriors, and Bucks. Teams on the rise, like Memphis, Houston, Cavs, can be more patient.
We would have to figure out what the trade would look like because of, yes, those dreaded cap restrictions . Clearly, at least one other team has to be involved. But I also would not be against Wiggins. The Heat could move him and his somewhat reasonable contract in that final year to prepare for the 2026 free agent period. The Heat have to be realistic – if they hold out for too much, they could end up with nothing.
Let’s wait for Sun “Capologist” Man to show up and let us know 😉
If Sacto trades Fox to another team, I can see a 2 for 1 trade for Wiggins involving Robinson, Highsmith and a pick.
There are far too many trade variables regarding Butler because he has done so much damage to his reputation and marketability. If he is traded before the deadline, I think it will be to a team that can acquire him without giving up anyone of consequence e.g., expiring contracts, young unproven players and a couple of picks, at best. The Milwaukee trade is sounding better by the day. Butler for Middleton, Portis and a pick with Connaughton to Detroit for a second rounder. Michael Porter Jr. is also an interesting move.
The other option is not to trade Butler before the deadline and notify him he will no longer be coming off the bench with the second unit. In fact, Spo should inform Butler he has no intention of playing him so he will be sitting at the end of the bench with the reserves and G Leaguers. Riley then simply has to wait for him to act up again (and again) and give him progressively longer suspensions until the end of the season.
If Riley can somehow land Fox without giving up Bam, Herro, or Ware, that would be a miracle.
This is my second favorite of the known options due to Wiggins fit on the team. If we can get Payton II to get an extra PG, I would not hate it.
I don’t hate it