The Jimmy Butler situation continues to get worse after he was suspended for the third time recently. It feels like the Miami Heat need to find a way to conclude this saga before the trade deadline. They cannot afford to let this drag on until the summer, it is far too big of a distraction.
This is a sad ending to Butler’s time with the Heat, a franchise he led to two NBA Finals in five seasons, exceeding all expectations and establishing himself as one of the best playoff performers in the league.
The Heat have never been afraid to say goodbye to aging superstars though. At 35 years of age and with a long injury history, that might be the case with Butler.
But then, that is also why it might be tough to find a suitable trade offer for Butler. There are very few teams in the league in the position to take on his contract in the first place.
For a while, the Golden State Warriors had been linked with Butler but more recently, those rumors had faded away as it looked like the organization had turned their attention elsewhere.
But now, it looks like the Warriors are back in the mix to trade for Butler after having seen the team struggle for form in recent months.
According to Tristi Rodriguez on NBC Sports Bay Area, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Tuesday morning: “The Heat are engaged with multiple teams on Jimmy Butler, including, from what I’m told, the Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors.
“The Heat are operating in the landscape as a team that’s motivated with interested suitors. As far as a price tag on Jimmy Butler goes, it’s been described to me in league circles that the Heat are looking for shorter-term contracts, along with draft assets. They have not yet received an offer that they’re moving forward with, but the trade deadline looms on Feb. 6.”
It remains to be seen how this situation plays out over the next week or so. It is very clear that the Warriors need to bring in some help if Stephen Curry and Draymond Green are to make a run for their fifth ring with the franchise in the twilight of their careers.
A proven playoff performer like Butler can provide them with just that. And in terms of a trade, the Warriors might be in a better position than the Suns to pull it off, with Phoenix’s chances depending on Bradley Beal and his no-trade clause.