With little more than two weeks remaining until the NBA trade deadline, the Miami Heat are ramping up efforts to move Jimmy Butler before the end of the season.
According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, there has been a noticeable uptick of activity from the Heat since the team’s owner met with Butler late last week.
The Heat are working the trade market
“Since Jimmy had his meeting with Micky Arison on Thursday, there is no doubt an uptick in (trade) discussions around Butler,” Windhorst said on ESPN’s “Hoop Collective” podcast.
Butler reportedly doubled down on his trade request in meetings with team president Pat Riley and Arison last week. Butler formally requested a trade on Jan. 2 after scoring nine points on six shots in a loss to the Indiana Pacers.
Since returning from a seven-game suspension, Butler in two games posted a total of 26 points on 22 shots against the Denver Nuggets and San Antonio Spurs on Friday and Sunday.
When asked what he would do if he was still on the team after the trade deadline, Butler said he would “hoop.”
What happens next?
The Heat are working hard to build the framework of a suitable trade, according to Windhorst. The Heat don’t want to take longterm money back in a deal and would prefer a package that includes helpful role players on short-term contracts and draft assets.
Such a deal has been difficult to put together, but the Heat’s front office has never been more engaged with the trade market as they are now. Riley and Andy Elisburg have connections and relationships across the league that they will have to lean on now.
The awkwardness of Butler’s trade request has permeated every layer of the organization. There is real motivation on the Heat’s part to move on, but they won’t take a deal that sabotages their future just to move Butler.
Marc Stein: The reality in Milwaukee, in any case, is that the Bucks can't make a trade run at either player unless they first dodge second apron restrictions by finding a taker for Pat Connaughton's $9.4 million contract in a deal that does not require them to take back salary.