When it comes to the Jimmy Butler drama, NBA insider Brian Windhorst of ESPN describes Heat president Pat Riley as a no-nonsense figure, uninterested in being swayed by star players.
His reputation for strong leadership is exemplified by past decisions like letting Dwyane Wade walk in 2016 over a contract dispute and refusing to replace head coach Erik Spoelstra when LeBron James implied it in 2010. Riley’s approach to Butler’s trade request could mirror this past bluntness.
Riley and the Heat do not tolerate being “pushed around,” Windhorst noted, even if it means letting a star player like Butler leave for nothing, similar to what the Clippers did with Paul George.
While it might not be ideal to let a max-salary player walk, Windhorst highlights that under the NBA’s current Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Heat might lean toward this path if trade offers for Butler fall short.
NETS
Forward Cam Johnson is one of the most sought-after NBA trade targets — but talks involving Johnson are expected to be more complicated and time-consuming than others, such as Dennis Schroder or Dorian Finney-Smith, per Windhorst.
The Nets see Johnson as a potential long-term piece, especially if they land impactful players in the future. But rival executives suspect Brooklyn might be posturing, Windhorst noted, and Johnson could be traded if the right offer comes along, given his contract was structured to be trade-friendly.
Brooklyn’s position on Johnson, while optimistic, appears to be a negotiating tactic. Multiple suitors are expected, driving up the price as teams anticipate a bidding war.
- A bidding war between the Grizzlies and the Lakers for Finney-Smith created “hard feelings” between the two teams, according to Windhorst. While this doesn’t rule out future deals, this tension is an important backdrop as the teams remain active in trade talks.
- Basically, Memphis could still be in the running for Johnson, though the past bidding wars with the Lakers may affect negotiations.
PELICANS
William Guillory of The Athletic identifies three Pelicans as essentially untouchable: Herbert Jones, Trey Murphy, and rookie Yves Missi.
On the other hand, while Zion Williamson, Dejounte Murray, Jordan Hawkins, and Jose Alvarado are not officially in the untouchable category, they are also seen as unlikely trade candidates at this point, Guillory noted.
- The Pelicans could be active in the market, but their most valued players are likely safe from NBA trade discussions. This makes the rest of the roster — especially players like Williamson and Murray — potentially available, should the right offer materialize.
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