Report: Heat Star Jimmy Butler ‘Likes’ Nets

According to NBA reporter Brian Lewis of The New York Post, Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler “likes” the Brooklyn Nets. 

Butler plans to become a free agent next offseason. 

“Butler reportedly has decided he’ll play out next season and won’t extend in Miami ahead of his opt-out in 2025,” Lewis wrote. “The odds of him picking up his player option are slim unless he agrees to a max deal with the Heat beforehand. The six-time All-Star is the most accomplished standout on that list not named LeBron James, and he likes Brooklyn, according to sources close to the player.”

Butler will make $48.8 million next season. The 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 this year’s 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 in 2023-24 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.