Blockbuster Trade Proposal Sends Jimmy Butler To Spurs

One NBA analyst proposed that the San Antonio Spurs acquire Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat. 

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

Jimmy Butler for Keldon Johnson, Jeremy Sochan, Zach Collins, a 2025 first-round pick and a 2031 first-round pick

“Victor Wembanyama played at an All-NBA level as a rookie (and maybe even like a fringe MVP candidate for the last few months of the season),” Bailey wrote. “When he shared the floor with Tre Jones (an actual point guard) and Devin Vassell (a decent wing), San Antonio was plus-10.2 points per 100 possessions. Just playing their future All-Star in more traditional alignments and adding some veteran competence from Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes could have the Spurs competing for a spot in the play-in tournament.

“If they could turn a couple of their younger players and a pinch of their significant stash of draft assets into Butler, the play-in might suddenly seem like a pretty low bar. With Wemby’s willingness to get threes up in volume and his burgeoning ability to hit cutters as a passer, he’d be a good complement to Butler on the offensive end. And though the elder statesman in that duo isn’t quite the defender he once was, in concert with Wemby, he could be a terror for a couple more years. Wembanyama may already be the NBA’s best mistake eraser. And with him patrolling the backline, perimeter defenders like Butler, Vassell and CP3 could be ultra-aggressive.”

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 will become an unrestricted free agent next offseason if he declines his 2025-26 player option, a move he’s expected to do. 

The Heat lost to the Boston Celtics in the first round of the 2024 playoffs in five games, while the Spurs missed the postseason.