While the Brooklyn Nets are expected to have max cap space heading into next offseason, don’t expect them to pursue Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler.
It’s been rumored in the past that Butler curiously had interest in the Nets, who currently own the fourth-worst record in the Eastern Conference at 13-26. But that feeling does seem to reciprocated, according to NBA insider Marc Stein of The Stein Line.
“Butler needn’t expect the Nets to be a suitor for his services if he goes through with plans to bypass his $52.4 player option with Miami for next season to become a free agent,” Stein wrote. “League sources reiterated to The Stein Line this week that the Nets have no plans to pursue to Butler in free agency.”
The Nets freed roughly $28 million in projected cap space over the last several weeks by trading Dennis Schroder and Dorian Finney-Smith ahead of the Feb. 6 trade deadline. According to Spotrac, Brooklyn projects to have over $90 million in practical cap space, though HoopsHype cap analyst Yossi Gozlan projects them to have $65 million. Nevertheless, that’s more than enough space, given Butler’s salary for a max will be worth approximately $54.1 million.
As I noted here, the interest in the Heat star never made sense. They are still in the stages of a rebuild, so acquiring Butler, who will be entering his age-36 season, wouldn’t make much sense. Butler wants to get paid, and the New York atmosphere would be excellent for Big Face Coffee, but those two timelines from a basketball perspective couldn’t be further apart.
Brooklyn not pursuing the six-time All-Star could hurt his leverage next offseason if 1.) he’s not traded and elects to opt-out or 2.) the team that acquires him doesn’t want to give him a max.
At this point, it may be best for Butler to play well to build his value back up–it’s not high, clearly–opt-in to his $52.4 million player option and see if he can traded next offseason or by February of 2026. Plenty can happen between now and July, but there’s currently aren’t many suitors with legitimate cap space. A team could do what the Heat did and execute a multi-team sign-and-trade, but that adds extra complications.
Is it worth it? Plus, the Heat were far enough away from the first-apron to pull it off while having enough flexibility to make tangible moves–acquiring Jae Crowder, Andre Iguodala and Solomon Hill for a package spearheaded by an injured Justise Winslow. Butler was a half-decade younger when that occurred; yesterday’s price isn’t today’s price.
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From the no sh!t department. Nobody wants to trade for him. That joy story unraveled faster than Weezer’s sweater. He better find his joy asap because Denver is Friday. See you there, Jimmy!
As I suggested in an earlier post, if Jimmy insists on being traded to Phoenix and that trade isn’t possible, he may need to return to the Heat until at least the trade deadline or possibly until the end of the season.
Since he has already said he plans to opt out of his contract at the end of the season, if he does return, he should be relegated to the second unit. The younger developing players, such as Jaquez, Jovic and Johnson, should get playing time priority over him.
If he is not disruptive and gives 100%, he can earn more minutes. If he is disruptive and/or doesn’t give 100%, he should be suspended…repeatedly, if required.
This is no longer about Jimmy’s feelings, greed, preferences or expectations. It’s about what is best for the rest of the team and the fans.
Jimmy has gone from a team leader to a distraction. Because of his selfishness and ego, he has lost the support of the players and many of the fans. It would be best for all concerned if he does not return to the team. Hopefully, Riley can make sure that happens.
Meanwhile, it’s on to L.A. for 2 games before returning home to play Denver on the 17th.
GO HEAT!!!
im off the butler bandwagon for dogging it on the ct.i posted during a game weeks ago i believe he was missing shots on purpose..its nice watching jaime and jovic busting their butt and making a name for themselves.dont think u can have jimmy here anymore.i know if i was a player i wouldnt want that quitter around.
So it seems like the only team with any interest in Jimmy Butler is the Suns, and the Suns are only willing to trade Bradley Beal for him, and Bradley Beal seems like he’s the only contract in the NBA that is less wanted than Jimmy Butler.
So, unfortnately, Jimmy Butler might be so toxic that he’s untradable. Like Kyrie Irving a couple years ago. Eventualy Kyrie restored his trade value and plays an important role with the Mavs. Maybe Jimmy Butler will get there eventually.
But until then, the Heat might be stuck with Jimmy. that would be a real bummer. This team is so much more fun without him.
Beal and Robinson to Brooklyn, Jimmy to Phoenix, and Simmons, Cam Johnson and Lewis to Miami works.
Phoenix would be happy, Miami maybe. But I don’t know about Nets and Bradley.