Jimmy Butler reinvigorated the Miami Heat fanbase with his tenacity, energy, and ability to generate victories. The team has been to the conference finals three of the last five years. Two of the last five runs reached the NBA Finals. And just like that, it’s over.
Through his actions and statements, he has shown he no longer wants to be part of this team. Jimmy Butler and his representative have indicated that they wish to be traded, therefore, we will listen to offers.
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) January 4, 2025
The Miami Heat put up a statue for their franchise’s best player, Dwyane Wade, just a few months ago. Now, the second-best player in Heat history has overstayed his welcome. Where does Jimmy Butler, at 35 years old, go from here?
What went right with Jimmy Butler
Other than a championship, everything went right with the marriage between Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat. All marriages face difficulties at one point or another, but the accolades are real. Two games from winning the championship in 2020. A number one seed in 2022. An unprecedented 8th seed making the NBA Finals. Those are just the team’s accomplishments. Butler had his fair share of max contracts, All-Star appearances, business opportunities, and nightlife to enjoy. The Heat handed nine-figure contracts to guys like Hassan Whiteside and matched restricted free-agent contracts like Tyler Johnson. Jimmy Butler arrived at just the right moment.
What Went Wrong With Jimmy Butler
Quite simply, unpredictability. Miami Heat culture thrives on consistent leadership. Hard hat every day. Example maker. Tone setter. Butler has lost that recently. The beginning signs showed on his first media day to start the 2023-24 NBA season. The gothic perm look allegedly made many Heat personnel uncomfortable and set the tone for the rest of the season. Jimmy battled injuries, the team was an 8th seed again, and they were quickly dispatched in the first round. This season’s frustrations boiled over in a recent press conference.
His fallouts with the Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves were similar. Invariably, the only thing predictable about Jimmy Butler lately was the request for another max contract extension. However, I have a question: why did he want an extension this summer but now wants out?
Miami did play a hand in this fallout. Pat Riley couldn’t get guys like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard to bolster the roster. Additionally, there appeared to be an over-reliance on undrafted players. The lack of middle-class salaries means valued role players who play well for them move on to other teams rather than re-sign. Is Miami Heat Culture just a group of haves and have-nots with a coach who hasn’t won a championship in a dozen years?
Sensible Trade Options
Jimmy Butler has intimated that he will play for any team other than the Miami Heat. Sparing you from collective bargaining trade rules jargon, know that moving a $50 million a year player on the last year of his deal is more complicated than it used to be. Only a trade to the Brooklyn Nets would make a palatable two-team trade feasible. If the Heat can even move him, it will primarily be a three-team deal. The Heat will have to take on at least one distressed asset, if not more. The most reasonable deal for all parties involves the following.
Best case scenario at this point…Trade machine approved and makes sense for all 3 teams.
— Big Heat Energy (@BigHeatEnergy) January 4, 2025
Heat get : B.Ingram & M. Smart
Grizz get : J.Butler
Pelicans get : B.Clarke , L.Kennard , Josh Richardson & 1st round pick via Memphis.
Smart/Rozier
Herro/Duncan
Ingram/Jaime… pic.twitter.com/QAl6JSiy66
In this scenario, the Pelicans’ sinking ship can offload the oft-injured deadweight that is Brandon Ingram, (who is probably gone this summer anyway). New Orleans gets a pick and some other flotsam to reroute in subsequent deals.
Memphis gets superstar motivated to play hard for an extension. The Grizzlies are a franchise that also embraces a culture that could fit Butler’s personality. Additionally, any success in Memphis immediately makes him a star. A potentially lucrative star.
Miami gets to salvage the current season with two players that, if healthy, can at least fit a system that values veterans.
Where do you think Jimmy Butler ultimately ends up?
Photo Credit for featured cover image: Getty Images.
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