Jimmy Butler trade rumors reached a new high on Friday, with ESPN’s Shams Charania and Brian Windhorst reporting that the six-time All-Star no longer wants to play for the Heat.
Butler’s latest trade rumor was interesting because, rather than leaking a list of preferred teams, he stated that he is willing to play anywhere other than Miami. That would theoretically put all 29 teams in contention for his services.
Butler remains a top-20 player in the league, but not everyone requires a 35-year-old who will be looking for a large contract this summer. His $48.8 million salary makes it more difficult for expensive teams to acquire him.
Despite these limitations, many teams should call the Heat. Some are in a better position than others, but everyone is technically in contention.
Here are Butler’s 29 trade destinations, ranked.
Ranking Jimmy Butler trade destinations
Tier 5: The timing doesn’t make sense
29. Spurs
28. Pelicans
27. Raptors
26. Blazers
25. Bulls
24. Pistons
23. Wizards
22. Hornets
21. Hawks
20. Jazz
19. Nets
These teams all have draft picks, young prospects, and some financial flexibility that would allow them to make a trade, but Butler, who is on an expiring contract, isn’t helping them this season or in the long run.
Some of these teams may pursue Butler this summer as a free agent. The Nets, for example, have been linked to him and have enough cap space to sign him. However, making an in-season trade does not make sense.
Tier 4: Salary cap rules and lack of assets make it almost impossible
18. Nuggets
17. Bucks
16. Timberwolves
15. Knicks
14. Celtics
13. 76ers
These teams are above the first apron, which means they cannot return more money than they sent in a trade. The Heat are also above-the-apron, so any trade would require complex cap mechanics to work.
A Damian Lillard trade for Jimmy Butler would be entertaining, but the fact that Butler earns $11,000 more than Lillard would make the transaction illegal.
Several of these teams also lack the necessary assets to make an attractive Butler offer. In order to acquire Mikal Bridges, the Knicks traded the majority of their draft equity.
The Bucks have no picks available. The Wolves have only one protected pick to offer. That is insufficient to make the most compelling offer for him.
Tier 3: Technically possible but doesn’t make sense
12. Lakers
In theory, the Lakers could trade Rui Hachimura, Austin Reaves, Gabe Vincent, and Jarred Vanderbilt for Butler and Josh Richardson. They also have two first-round picks to throw in. Their depth would be decimated, and Butler’s lack of shooting would be a problem.
11. Suns
Butler is rumored to be heading to the Suns. Bradley Beal would have to be included in the deal, and his no-trade clause could prevent such a move. Miami would reject Beal’s offer anyway, making a trade extremely unlikely.
10. Clippers
The Clippers could trade Butler for James Harden, P.J. Tucker, and some filler. Alternatively, they could trade Kawhi Leonard for him. They have one first-round pick that they could include in a trade.
Why would the Heat do this, though? Harden is still a good player, but he is far more valuable to a Clippers team that needs offensive production than he is to the Heat. And Leonard’s contract is a major disadvantage at this point due to his deteriorating health. To close a deal, they’d need to offer more than just one distant pick.
9. Kings
The Kings have a few options to acquire Butler. They could offer Malik Monk, Kevin Huerter, and Trey Lyles, as well as up to two first-round picks. Alternatively, they could move De’Aaron Fox and Kevin Huerter. They clearly want to shake things up after firing Mike Brown in the middle of the season.
The issue is that Butler would not fit in with the Kings’ roster. They already have two tricky players in Domantas Sabonis and DeMar DeRozan. Adding another player who is hesitant to shoot three-pointers and performs best with the ball in his hands makes no sense.
8. Pacers
Myles Turner, Obi Toppin, Benedict Mathurin, and Jarace Walker would be paid to work on this project. That would be an appealing combination of young players for the Heat.
Would the Pacers be willing to sacrifice so much for Butler? And how would his body hold up in such a fast-paced environment?
The timing is also questionable. Tyrese Haliburton has been playing much better recently, and the Pacers are coming off an Eastern Conference Finals appearance, but trading for Butler won’t lift them above the Celtics, Cavs, or Knicks this season.
7. Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers are the best team in the league. They could split their core four, trading Darius Garland and Isaac Okoro for Butler. That would give them a better defender to pair with Donovan Mitchell.
Garland, who is only 24 years old, has been vital to the Cavaliers. Would they be better with Butler in his place, and would it be worth giving up those prime years?
Butler is undoubtedly more experienced in the playoffs, but this would be a highly risky move. The Heat would probably be thrilled to get a young All-Star point guard and make this trade right away, but it appears that the Cavs have said no.
Tier 2: Teams that could make an offer
6. Magic
The Magic are a good team that is one star shy of being great. Butler could bring them there. They need more offensive creativity, and Butler, Paolo Banchero, and Franz Wagner could provide enough unconventional playmaking to be a decent offense. They would continue to be a threat on defense.
The Magic could match Jonathan Isaac, Cole Anthony, and Anthony Black’s salaries. To remain competitive in the East, the Heat would benefit from a balanced roster of young players and veterans. Orlando could have up to four first-round picks.
5) Thunder
The Thunder have up to nine first-round picks available in any trade. Lu Dort and Isaiah Hartenstein have matching salaries. It’s up to them to choose which star to use that package on.
Does Butler make sense for them? He’s playoff-tested and a more consistent scorer than Jalen Williams, giving OKC a true No. 2 option behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in crunch time.
Butler is unquestionably a better player, but the Thunder will miss Hartenstein. With Chet Holmgren out, he’s been an important part of the team’s true center options.
4. Mavericks
The Mavericks don’t have a lot of matching salary to include in a Butler trade. They could swap Kyrie Irving and Quentin Grimes for him, but Irving has performed well alongside Luka Doncic.
They could trade Klay Thompson, P.J. Washington, Daniel Gafford, and Quentin Grimes for Butler and Pelle Larsson, but it would deplete their depth. That might result in a no from them.
Tier 1: The best options
3. Rockets
The Rockets have four tradeable first-round picks. Dillon Brooks’ salary matches theirs. They also have good young prospects in Reed Sheppard (who has been buried in the rotation) and Amen Thompson.
This would be an excellent package for the Heat. Brooks is a player who fits in well with their culture and would complement Tyler Herro. Sheppard would have the opportunity to demonstrate why he was drafted third overall. Erik Spoelstra would maximize Thompson’s versatility.
The Rockets should also enjoy this type of package. They’re a fantastic team with an elite defense, but they need a star to propel them to the next level. Butler could be that guy, and the Houston native wishes to play there.
2. Grizzlies
The Grizzlies have a huge problem on their hands: they have too many good players and need to slim down their rotation for the playoffs, and the one position where they’re lacking is wing. Butler would give them the two-way player they’ve been looking for in the trade market.
The Grizzlies have a wide range of player combinations available to them. Marcus Smart, Brandon Clarke, and Luke Kennard would be the least painful three to send out. They have up to four first-round picks, allowing them to make the most appealing offer to Miami.
1. Warriors
The Warriors have been linked to Butler dating back to the summer. They’re looking to make a big move, per ESPN’s Shams Charania, and their window to win is now.
Getting to Butler’s salary would be tricky. Andrew Wiggins would have to be part of the deal. Gary Payton II, Jonathan Kuminga and Dennis Schroder can be traded on Feb. 4 when Schroder’s salary can be aggregated.
The Warriors need a second scorer, and Butler could provide that alongside Stephen Curry. He could also add to a good defense. Golden State would have two of the most clutch players in the league at the end of games, which might be enough to make some serious noise in the playoffs.
The Heat would get a rejuvenated Wiggins in this deal and a good young prospect in Kuminga, but the Warriors would have to include some picks for it to work. They have two tradeable firsts, and it would probably take both of them.