Could the Miami Heat actually land the star player they always wanted in a Jimmy Butler trade? A surprising new rumor suggests it is now a “realistic scenario.”
This is been an exhausting season for the Heat. From the start of the offseason, a grey cloud has hung over the franchise, and its name is Jimmy Butler. The fan-favorite and team great wants a new long-term deal. The franchise has no interest in giving him one.
Related: Where do the Miami Heat land in our latest NBA power rankings?
Rumors have swirled for months about a trade. A deal is as possible as ever before Thursday’s NBA trade deadline because the 35-year-old has done all he can to make sure he is traded, and specifically to the Phoenix Suns. However, a deal has proven difficult to make because Phoenix lacked the assets to make a deal possible.
Bradley Beal was expected to be a part of a trade to make the money work. But he does not want to waive his no-trade clause and Miami doesn’t want him. While their asking price for Butler has dropped in recent days, the Heat have long hoped to get an All-Star-level player back in a potential swap.
Well, a surprising rumor on Wednesday afternoon seemingly opened the door to the Miami Heat landing a 14-time All-Star in a Jimmy Butler trade.
- Kevin Durant stats (2024-25): 26.9 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 4.2 APG, 0.8 SPG, 1.3 BPG, 40% 3PT
Could the Miami Heat acquire Kevin Durant before Thursday’s NBA trade deadline?
“In a potential stunning turn of events, there’s a realistic trade scenario that would send Kevin Durant to Miami, Jimmy Butler and first-round draft compensation to Phoenix, and Josh Richardson to a third team with draft assets attached,” NBA reporter Jake Weinbach reported Wednesday.
Obviously, the report must be taken with a huge grain of salt. Since Weinbach doesn’t contribute to a major news outlet currently. However, the idea does not seem impossible. Reports have claimed the Suns are taking trade offers on the future Hall-of-Famer. And his top suitor, the Golden State Warriors, now seems out of the running after he allegedly told Phoenix management he does not want a reunion with his old team.
- Jimmy Butler stats (2024-25): 17.0 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 4.8 APG, 1.1 SPG, 36% 3PT
If the Suns ever want to get out of the poor position they are in they are going to need to move Durant. With rumors suggesting the team’s owner — Matt Ishbia — is high on Butler and willing to give him the extension he wants, swapping Durant for the Miami Heat star is not an outlandish idea at this point.
Related: Where does Kevin Durant land on our list of the 50 best NBA players right now?