Brooklyn Nets have no plans to pursue Miami Heat star in free agency

Jimmy Butler may have lost some leverage.

Miami Heat v Brooklyn Nets
Miami Heat v Brooklyn Nets | Al Bello/GettyImages

The Brooklyn Nets don’t have plans to sign Jimmy Butler, or any other superstar, in free agency this summer, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.

The Nets are the only team projected to have maximum cap space this summer, and have been routinely mentioned as a possible destination for Butler in free agency. Butler has made it clear he intends to sign a max contract before next season.

However, according to Stein, the Nets have no plans to pursue Butler if he were to opt out of the final year of his contract this summer. Instead, they are focused on building up their assets and maintaining payroll flexibility for future moves.

From Stein:

Butler needn't expect the Nets to be a suitor for his services if he goes through with plans to bypass his $52.4 player option with Miami for next season to become a free agent.

League sources reiterated to The Stein Line this week that the Nets have no plans to pursue to Butler in free agency.

In December, the New York Post reported that Butler would be open to playing for Brooklyn.

My take: This report may impact Butler’s leverage as he seeks to force a trade to the Phoenix Suns. More importantly, without a potential free agent suitor, Butler also loses leverage in attempting to negotiate a maximum salary for his next contract.

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