Heat, Suns May Be Working On Jimmy Butler-Kevin Durant Trade

February 5, 2025

The Miami Heat are looking to move Jimmy Butler ahead of Thursday’s NBA trade deadline, and Butler is widely said to prefer the Phoenix Suns as his next destination.

The Suns, meanwhile, are said to be exploring deals for Kevin Durant. One team seemingly ruled out of a deal for Durant (or Butler, for that matter) is the Golden State Warriors. Reports suggest Durant doesn’t want a reunion with the Warriors and Butler doesn’t want to go there at all.

So would a Durant-for-Butler deal make sense? Well, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, it’s being discussed.

“The Heat or staying with the Suns are now viewed as the most likely outcomes for Kevin Durant ahead of the deadline, per Brian Windhorst,” wrote Dean Simon of Sporting News.

“With Durant saying no to the Warriors, Miami now wants him. Butler, Nikola Jovic and draft picks for Durant is a legal potential framework.”

I’m generally OK with no trades for the majority of NBA teams. Forcing things often doesn’t end up as a positive. It is always and forever about fit. Newer GMs/ownership groups often learn that the hard way.

— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) February 5, 2025

Durant is averaging 26.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists this season while shooting 52.4% from the field, 39.8% from beyond the arc and 82.7% from the free-throw line. The future Hall of Famer is making $51.2 million.

Meanwhile, Butler is averaging 17.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.4 blocks while shooting 54.0% from the field, 36.1% from beyond the arc and 80.1% from the free-throw line. He is making $48.8 million this season and has a player option worth $52.4 million for next season.

With rumors swirling, the NBA trade deadline is either going to be full of pizzazz or, as the case often is, full of nothingness. What happens with Durant and Butler is likely to play a big role in determining that.