‘Blockbuster’ Trade Proposal Sends Heat Star Jimmy Butler To Spurs

One NBA writer proposed that the San Antonio Spurs acquire Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat this offseason. 

Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Spurs and Heat: 

Jimmy Butler for Keldon Johnson, Jeremy Sochan, Zach Collins, a 2024 first-round pick (via Toronto) a 2027 first-round pick and a 2029 first-round pick

Butler is extension-eligible this offseason. He’ll make $48.8 million next season.

Butler, who turns 35 in September, has a player option worth $52.4 million for the 2025-26 season. 

The Heat lost to the Boston Celtics in the first round of the 2024 playoffs in five games. Butler didn’t play because of a knee injury. 

Meanwhile, the Spurs won only 22 games. 

Butler averaged 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists this season while shooting 49.9% from the field, 41.4% from beyond the arc and 85.8% from the free-throw line.

Victor Wembanyama had a terrific rookie season for the Spurs. He averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.2 steals and 3.6 blocks while shooting 46.5% overall, 32.5% from 3 and 79.6% from the foul line. 

The 20-year-old led the NBA in blocks and blocks per game. 

“If we assume even moderate improvement from the Frenchman this offseason, it’s hard to imagine the Spurs at the bottom of the standings again,” Bailey wrote. “So, instead of angling for an outside shot at Cooper Flagg or Ace Bailey, San Antonio could make a win-now move, nabbing one of the league’s best playmaking wings and an all-time great playoff performer in Jimmy Butler.

“Though the current expectation is that Butler plays for the Miami Heat in 2024-25, there’s a case for moving him. Durability is becoming a real question for the 34-year-old, and Miami was nowhere near contention this season.”

Butler has career averages of 18.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists with the Chicago Bulls, Minnesota Timberwolves, Philadelphia Sixers and Heat. He’s made six All-Star teams, five All-NBA teams and five All-Defensive teams.

Butler joined the Heat in the summer of 2019 via a sign-and-trade deal with the Sixers. He has guided Miami to the NBA Finals twice. 

The Spurs need more talent around Wembanyama, so Bailey thinks the franchise should go after Butler.