With Jimmy Butler expected to opt out from the final year of his deal at the end of this coming season, ESPN NBA Insider Brian Windhorst wants everybody to pay close attention to the Miami Heat and a potential move they might attempt to make involving their resident All-Star wingman this coming season.
On the latest episode of the Hoops Collective podcast released on September 3, Windhorst said that Butler is looking poised to have a strong year next season as he tries to earn his final max-level contract in the NBA.
Windhorst believed Butler has all the motivation he needs to put up stellar numbers across the board next season after failing to secure a contract extension from the Miami Heat last summer.
“It’s fertile ground for Jimmy to have a big year and get 1 final contract,” Windhorst stated on the podcast. Heat have shown in Riley’s years, that they will move off of players when they think that it’s time”
Miami Might Explore Trade Routes for Butler
As Windhorst seems to insinuate on his podcast, Butler cannot afford to have another down year next season since Heat president Pat Riley is notorious for trading players once their performances begin to subside.
Butler averaged 20.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game during the 2023-24 regular season, which are still elite numbers by NBA standards.
Unfortunately, the enigmatic Heat star could not play in the first-round series with bitter rival and eventual champions, Boston Celtics, due to an MCL injury he suffered in the play-in game against the Philadelphia 76ers.
As expected, the Heat lost to the Celtics in 5 games as they sorely missed Butler’s court leadership and shot-making ability that earned him the fabled nickname “Jimmy Buckets.”
In an ambush interview following the Heat’s exit, Butler claimed that Miami would have beaten the Celtics and the New York Knicks, had he stayed healthy for the postseason.
Riley was not happy with the comments made by Butler and took a swipe at his star player, stressing “he should keep his mouth shut.”
Pat Riley on Jimmy Butler's comments that the Heat would've won over Boston if he were healthy… "you should keep your mouth shut" pic.twitter.com/K1K3RVo0lt
— WPLG Local 10 Sports (@Local10Sports) May 6, 2024
Jimmy Butler at the Center of Trade Rumors
Several days before the start of NBA free agency in July, rumors were buzzing about a potential reunion between Butler and the Philadelphia 76ers, the last team he played before joining the Heat in 2019.
According to Keith Pompei of the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Sixers were willing to offer Butler a max deal, should he force her way out of Miami. However, Riley’s unwillingness to engage in trade rumors involving Butler essentially shot down the rumor.
Butler has stressed several times already about his plan to play for Miami at least for this coming season.
But just as when the trade rumors on Butler is about to die, a new one pops out of nowhere to stir up more drama and intrigues 10 months before the Heat star becomes eligible to forego the $52 million player option for the 2025 season and hits the free-agency waters in July 2025.
According to Brian Lewis of the New York Post, the Brooklyn Nets have emerged as potential free agency destination for Butler once he hits the free agency market in 2025. Lewis added that Butler also has an interest in the Nets.
“The odds of him picking up his player option are slim unless he agrees to a max deal with the Heat beforehand,” Lewis wrote. “The six-time All-Star is the most accomplished standout on that [free agent] list not named [LeBron] James, and he likes Brooklyn, according to sources close to the player.”\
Of course, it’s unlikely for Butler to the Nets trade to happen with barely three weeks to go before training camps begin across the league. Unless Butler performs another theatrical act like he did to get out of Minnesota in 2018, Jimmy Buckets will certainly start his 14th NBA season with the Miami Heat.
