NBA Trade Rumors: How Teams With Interest In Heat Star Jimmy Butler Can Pull Off A Deal

Trades involving NBA stars don’t typically spring up out of nowhere. There’s always a buildup, whether public or private. Jimmy Butler, Heat, Caris LeVert, Cavaliers, Cavs, NBA

In Jimmy Butler’s case, it’s clear: the Miami Heat aren’t extending his deal for the upcoming season, and Butler has made it known that he’ll decline his player option for 2025-26.

The Heat are also reportedly open to trade talks. Put it all together, and Butler’s situation screams trade, making him the star everyone’s watching this fall.

Butler isn’t the only All-Star whose future is uncertain; the Pelicans’ Brandon Ingram and Bulls’ Zach LaVine are also on the radar.

But for now, the focus is on Butler, and there are several teams lining up to acquire him.

TEAMS WITH SERIOUS INTEREST

Dallas Mavericks
The Mavs have made moves in recent years but a trade for Butler would require significant roster gymnastics. With their current salary structure, they’d need to send out multiple players to make a deal work, including at least three with salaries ranging from $8.6 million to $15.5 million.

Trade Scenario:

Mavericks get: Jimmy Butler
Heat get: Brandon Ingram, Naji Marshall, Daniel Theis
Pelicans get: Daniel Gafford, Dwight Powell, Klay Thompson
Pistons get: Maxi Kleber, 2025 first-round pick

This four-team trade is complicated but could provide Dallas with Butler while balancing out the rosters for everyone involved.

Golden State Warriors
Much like Dallas, Golden State’s hard cap restrictions complicate a potential deal for Butler. However, they do have the salary matches, like Andrew Wiggins and expiring contracts for the Heat to consider.

Trade Scenario:

Warriors get: Jimmy Butler
Heat get: Kyle Anderson, Gary Payton II, Andrew Wiggins, 2025 first-round pick (top-4 protected), 2028 first-round pick
Pistons get: Kevon Looney, 2026 Lakers second-round pick

This scenario gives the Heat future picks and some defensive-minded pieces to replace Butler while giving Golden State an NBA star to pair with Stephen Curry.

Houston Rockets
The Rockets have the flexibility to trade for Butler without compromising too much of their future, although GM Rafael Stone insists they’re committed to their current roster. Still, if Houston can land Butler without parting with key young players, it could be a game-changer.

Trade Scenario:

Rockets get: Jimmy Butler
Heat get: Steven Adams, Dillon Brooks, Jeff Green, 2027 first-round pick, 2029 first-round pick. This deal works for Miami by cutting some salary and adding a strong defensive option in Brooks, plus future picks to build around.

Phoenix Suns
Phoenix is up against the apron and needs to make some major moves to acquire Butler. The challenge lies in whether Bradley Beal would be willing to waive his no-trade clause.

Trade Scenario:

Suns get: Jimmy Butler
Heat get: Bradley Beal, 2031 first-round pick, 2031 second-round pick, 2026 and 2031 second-round picks. While Beal’s big contract makes this tricky, the Suns could still pull this off with a combination of picks and swapping salaries.

WILD-CARD TEAMS

Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets could offer Michael Porter Jr. as the centerpiece of a Butler deal, but they’re limited in terms of draft assets. Still, if they can match salaries and make it work, this could be an interesting move to bolster their NBA championship chances.

Trade Scenario:

Nuggets get: Jimmy Butler
Heat get: Michael Porter Jr., Zeke Nnaji, 2026 and 2031 first-round swaps. This deal works, but Denver may need to add another team to make it more palatable for the Heat.

San Antonio Spurs
With a young roster and a stack of draft picks, the Spurs could easily add Butler without sacrificing too much of their future. This move would accelerate their timeline, potentially pairing Butler with Victor Wembanyama.

Trade Scenario:

Spurs get: Jimmy Butler
Heat get: Harrison Barnes, Malaki Branham, Keldon Johnson, 2025 first-round pick. The Spurs have the assets, and this trade could offer the Heat a mix of youth and picks while speeding up San Antonio’s rebuilding process.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Butler’s trade market is complicated, with salary restrictions and roster flexibility posing significant challenges for teams like Dallas, Golden State, and Phoenix.

However, for the right team, the price could be worth it. Expect the trade chatter to intensify as the February deadline approaches, with these teams and others likely to make their pitches.