We have more in the fallout of ESPN’s report that the Miami Heat are listening to trade offers for Jimmy Butler.
In case you missed it, you can read our initial story on the mechanics of a trade and potential packages here.
We also came up with some fake trade ideas here.
Erik Spoelstra responds to Jimmy Butler trade rumors
On the heels of ESPN’s report that the Miami Heat are open to listening to trade offers for Jimmy Butler, coach Erik Spoelstra and the organization declined to comment on the speculation. Spoelstra, as he downplayed the report, said he didn’t bother to address it with the team.
“I didn’t mention it,” Spoelstra said. “I think the biggest message is we’re 3-0 the past week and the player that was rumored in so many trades and speculations the last three years [Tyler Herro], that player is still here and [Eastern Conference] Player of the Week. That’s the only thing I’m thinking about. Anything else, any other narrative, I don’t care. Nobody should because most of this stuff has been all like gibberish.”
Butler did not speak after practice, but it’s worth pointing out that Butler rarely talks after practices and typically addresses the media in postgame sessions.
“I didn’t see that,” Tyler Herro said of the report. “The vibes felt good in here today, so I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Brian Windhorst weighs in
Even if those within the Heat organization downplay the report, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported Wednesday morning that teams around the league are under the impression that Butler could be attainable.
“Jimmy Butler, really since last Spring when the Heat made it clear they were not going to extend his contract, we were probably headed for an ending of the ways between the Heat and Jimmy Butler,” Windhorst said on ESPN’s “Get Up” morning program. “I wouldn’t say it’s a done deal, yet, but I think teams are starting to kick the tires there to see what it might take. And the Warriors are one of them.”
Windhorst pointed to the Warriors as one of the teams that could be most aggressive. His colleague, Shams Charania, reported Tuesday that Golden State, Houston and Dallas are the teams Butler is open to playing for if he’s traded from Miami.
“The Warriors have been really active in trying to look for a star player,” Windhorst continued. “They kicked the tires on a couple of other stars over the summer and if Jimmy Butler is available and the Warriors feel like they need an upgrade, that could be [a possibility].”
Unrelated but important: Kel’el Ware is back with the team
After a two-game stint in the G League, Ware was back with the Heat for Tuesday’s practice. The Heat’s next game is Thursday at home against the Toronto Raptors. Miami’s G League affiliate’s next game is on Friday in Chicago.
Kel’el Ware is back with the Heat from his two-game G League stint. pic.twitter.com/hHFQL6Dz9o
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) December 10, 2024
Nikola Jovic (ankle), Pelle Larsson (ankle) and Josh Richardson (heel) did not practice on Tuesday.