Heat Being Patient With Decision On Jimmy Butler, Not Likely Interested In Suns’ Bradley Beal

December 23, 2024

The Miami Heat are off to an uneven start, but despite the struggles, they’re keeping their cool when it comes to Jimmy Butler’s future, per NBA insider Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

As Stein noted on December 14, the Heat remain confident that if Butler opts out of his $52.4 million player option for next season, they’ll have a say in his next move — particularly through a sign-and-trade, should he choose to leave.

Currently, the only team with the financial flexibility to sign Butler outright is the Brooklyn Nets, but even that feels like a long shot, Stein wrote.

Brooklyn has already made moves to shed salary, including trading Dennis Schroder to Golden State, and are expected to continue clearing space in an effort to improve their draft position.

More importantly, they have little incentive to make a serious run at a 35-year-old Butler, who remains a six-time All-Star but is no longer in the prime of his career.

Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns’ reported interest in trading for Butler should not be overstated. Yes, they could pursue Butler if Bradley Beal waives his no-trade clause, but even if that happens, the Heat would have to agree to a trade involving Beal — and there’s little evidence suggesting they’re inclined to do that, Stein wrote.

Beal, who has struggled with injuries and has missed 36% of his games since arriving in Phoenix, is still owed $110 million over the next two seasons.

On top of that, the Suns are at a disadvantage in terms of trade assets. They can’t aggregate contracts, don’t control their first-round picks until 2030, and have limited future draft capital to package with Beal.

The Heat aren’t likely to bite on a deal that doesn’t benefit them in the long run. So, while Butler’s future remains uncertain, Miami’s patience may very well pay off.