As the Miami Heat shop Jimmy Butler before the NBA trade deadline, the Golden State Warriors continue to come up as a potential destination despite Golden State’s previously reported disinterest.
According to The Athletic’s Anthony Slater and Marcus Thompson II, “there has been some warming to the idea of Butler” in Golden State.
Here’s more from the Warriors reporters:
The Warriors’ middling season has upped their desperation level for some sort of a shake-up, all the way up to controlling owner Joe Lacob. Team sources have downplayed their recent involvement in conversations with the Heat, but there’s been a noticeable increase in intrigue from the front office about the idea of Butler at a bargain.
There has been some warming to the idea of Butler. In the most optimistic of scenarios, a motivated, healthy Butler jolts the Warriors’ playoff ceiling higher.
Warriors warming up to idea of trading for Jimmy Butler.
When Butler’s name first became the subject of trade speculation, the Warriors were quick to bow out of those conversations. Steve Kerr, Stephen Curry and Draymond Green in recent weeks have publicly downplayed the need for a win-now move, especially if it involved parting with key pieces for the future.
But as the Heat’s price tag for Butler declines, the Warriors could get back into the mix. According to The Athletic, the Warriors have shopped a protected 2025 first-round pick in trade conversations across the league.
What a potential Butler to Golden State trade would look like.
The Warriors' offer would likely center around Andrew Wiggins, Gary Payton II and Kevon Looney to match Butler’s salary. Wiggins, Payton and Looney, it should be noted, are favorites in Golden State’s locker room. The Heat might ask for a draft pick in the deal, too.
Would the Warriors include a 2027 first instead of/along with the 2025 pick they have been shopping? The Heat could ask. Adding a 2027 first-round pick to their collection would unlock the ability to trade picks in 2026 and 2028, as per the league’s Stepien Rule that prohibits teams from being without a first-round pick in consecutive seasons.
The Heat have reportedly been disinclined to add contracts that last beyond 2026, when they could potentially have max cap space in a free agent class that could include such stars as Luka Doncic, De’Aaron Fox, Kevin Durant and Trae Young.
Wiggins’ contract goes through the 2026-27 season, but the Heat might be OK with acquiring Wiggins, given that it comes in at an average annual value of $29 million over the next two seasons and includes a player option in 2026-27. That could still allow the Heat to clear the final year of his contract in time for the 2026 free-agent class.
If the Heat wanted to flip Wiggins to a third team, one name that has come up in trade rumors is Bruce Brown of the Toronto Raptors. The contracts match, and Brown’s deal expires at the end of the season. But would Toronto demand a sweetener be attached to Wiggins? Depending on the price, the Heat could prefer to hold onto Wiggins and deal with his contract at a later date.