Blockbuster Trade Proposal Sends Jimmy Butler To Warriors

One NBA analyst proposed that the Golden State Warriors acquire Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat. 

Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report proposed the following mock trade between the Warriors and Heat:

Jimmy Butler and Josh Richardson for Jonathan Kuminga, Andrew Wiggins, Kevon Looney, Gary Payton II, a 2025 first-round pick, a 2027 first-round pick and a 2028 first-round pick swap

The Warriors missed the playoffs in 2024 after losing the 9-10 play-in game to the Sacramento Kings. 

Meanwhile, the Heat lost to the Boston Celtics in the first round in five games. 

“The Warriors almost certainly need more raw talent to get back to the title contenders’ tier,” Bailey wrote. “And the potential one-two punch from Stephen Curry and his unparalleled outside shooting and Butler’s inside-the-arc scoring is easy to imagine. A defense led by Butler and Draymond Green could cause plenty of heartache for opponents, too.

“With that trio and a solid supporting cast that would include Kyle Anderson, Brandin Podziemski, Buddy Hield and De’Anthony Melton, Golden State would at least give itself one more puncher’s chance in Curry’s age-36 campaign. Of course, the Warriors are giving up a lot of depth, young talent and picks here, but this is the kind of desperate, win-now move they might have to make to get Curry his fifth title.”

Butler will make $48.8 million in 2024-25. He has a player option worth $52.4 million for the 2025-26 season. 

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.”