Report: Warriors ‘Warming’ To Idea Of Acquiring Jimmy Butler From Heat

According to NBA reporters Anthony Slater and Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic, the Golden State Warriors are “warming” to the idea of acquiring Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat. 

Butler has requested a trade from the Heat and Miami has lowered its asking price for the veteran forward. 

“Team sources have downplayed their recent involvement in conversations with the Heat, but there’s been a noticeable increase in intrigue from the front office about the idea of Butler at a bargain,” Slater and Thompson II wrote. 

Butler is averaging 17.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.4 blocks this season for the Heat while shooting 54.0% from the field, 36.1% from beyond the arc and 80.1% from the free-throw line. 

A Marquette product, Butler is making $48.8 million this season. He has a player option worth $52.4 million for next season. 

“There has been some warming to the idea of Butler,” Slater and Thompson II wrote. “In the most optimistic of scenarios, a motivated, healthy Butler jolts the Warriors’ playoff ceiling higher. Butler plays defense, which would be needed if Andrew Wiggins is shipped off in a deal.”

Butler has played for the Chicago Bulls, Minnesota Timberwolves, Philadelphia 76ers and Heat. He has career averages of 18.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.4 blocks. 

The NBA trade deadline is February 6.

The Warriors, who won the title in 2022, are only 23-23 on the season despite having Stephen Curry.

They are in 11th place in the Western Conference standings.

“Anyone who thinks I’m OK being on an average basketball team is insane,” Curry said. “Take whatever I said, I still stand on it. But that doesn’t mean we’re not in a situation where we are trying to get better, make appropriate moves that help you do that. Mike knows that. We’ve talked about it. That’s the expectation from me. It doesn’t mean you’re reckless. What people’s definition of that is is what I was talking about with Twitter fingers. Trade machines are fun. But what does that actually look like? We’re gonna handle our business. Mike is gonna handle his. We will see where we end up.”

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