According to NBA insider Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports, the Philadelphia 76ers could trade Paul George to the Miami Heat for Jimmy Butler.
Butler has requested a trade from the Heat.
“I’ve heard that Philly quietly could be a suitor for Jimmy Butler…theoretically, it would be a Jimmy for Paul George swap. I believe that Embiid is pushing for them to reacquire Jimmy. George was told by management we wouldn’t trade you year one of this deal.” – @VinceGoodwill https://t.co/5gN56r3hbq pic.twitter.com/PHZnSUTng6
— Dru (@dru_star) January 28, 2025
George signed a massive four-year, $211 million contract with the Sixers in July. He’s only appeared in 30 games this season due to injuries.
A nine-time All-Star, George is averaging 17.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.7 steals and 0.4 blocks this season for the Sixers while shooting 42.9% from the field, 36.5% from 3 and 82.3% from the foul line. He’s making $49.2 million.
Butler, who played 55 games for the Sixers in 2018-19, is close with Joel Embiid. Philadelphia lost to the Toronto Raptors in the second round of the 2019 playoffs in seven games.
The Heat suspended Butler indefinitely on Monday after the small forward walked out of shootaround. The NBA trade deadline is February 6 and Butler desperately wants out of Miami.
A Marquette product, 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 floor, 36.1% from beyond the arc and 80.1% from the free-throw line. He’s played in 25 games.
A six-time All-Star, Butler is making $48.8 million this season. He has a player option worth $52.4 million for next season.
Butler has played for the Chicago Bulls, Minnesota Timberwolves, Sixers and Heat. He has career averages of 18.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.4 blocks.
Butler can’t control his trade request since he doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract. However, he can become a free agent after this season by declining his 2025-26 player option.
The Heat are in sixth place in the Eastern Conference standings, while the Sixers are in 11th place.
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