Report: Jimmy Butler Could Leave Heat For Nets In 2025

According to NBA reporter Brian Lewis of The New York Post, Jimmy Butler could leave the Miami Heat for the Brooklyn Nets in 2025. 

“Butler isn’t just open to Brooklyn, but fond of it, sources told The Post,” Lewis reported. “Now, he’s not a Net and he might never get close to becoming one. But to dismiss the possibility out of hand is foolish.”

Butler will make $48.8 million next season. The star small forward 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 postseason in five games. Butler didn’t play because of a knee injury. 

A six-time All-Star, Butler averaged 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.3 blocks in 60 games last season for the Heat while shooting 49.9% from the field, 41.4% from beyond the arc and 85.8% from the free-throw line.

Butler has career averages of 18.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.4 blocks with the Chicago Bulls, Minnesota Timberwolves, Philadelphia 76ers and Heat. He’s made five All-NBA teams and five All-Defensive teams.

“Butler originally wanted an extension from the Heat this summer, but then changed his mind after Miami did not offer one,” NBA reporter Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald wrote. “He now intends to play out this season and not sign an extension with any team and will become a free agent in the summer of 2025. The Heat is not shopping Butler, according to a source.”

Butler joined the Heat in 2019. Miami lost in the 2020 Finals to the Los Angeles Lakers, lost in the first round of the 2021 playoffs to the Milwaukee Bucks, lost in the 2022 conference finals to the Celtics, lost in the 2023 Finals to the Denver Nuggets and lost in the first round this year to Boston. 

The Nets are rebuilding after trading Mikal Bridges to the New York Knicks. However, their rebuild could end if Butler comes to Brooklyn in 2025.