Jimmy Butler doesn’t want to play for the Miami Heat anymore. That’s the top story around the NBA landscape. But according to Shams Charania of ESPN, it’s also merely scratching the surface of what’s going on in South Beach. See, Butler doesn’t just want to leave Miami—he would rather be literally anywhere else.
Charania recently reported that Butler wants to play for any other team in the NBA other than the Heat, and he told the organization as much. He wants to be traded this season, and he doesn’t care where he goes—as long as he doesn’t have to be in Miami anymore.
Obviously, Butler couldn’t be traded to any team. Some teams don’t want him, others don’t need him, and many quite literally could not make a CBA-legal deal without giving up their own top player.
However, based purely on the numbers, a lot of teams around the league could make a deal work. And that’s what makes this particular trade request so fun. Since Butler wants to go anywhere, technically speaking, everyone is in the running.
So, what would a Butler deal look like for every team around the association? Let’s go through them, ranking from least to most likely along the way.
*Likeliness is based on how likely BOTH teams would be to make the deal. Just because one side would want to make the trade doesn’t mean the Heat would, too.*
**All deals are based on tradable assets by the trade deadline, not necessarily immediately.*
Tier 10: Literally impossible
Milwaukee Bucks
Bucks get: Nothing
Heat get: Nothing
The Milwaukee Bucks are a second-apron team, so they cannot aggregate salaries and would have to send out more money in a deal than they get back. They have nobody on the roster who makes more than Butler, so there is no legal way for them to trade for him, even if they got a second team involved.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Timberwolves get: Nothing
Heat get: Nothing
There is no way for the Minnesota Timberwolves to trade for Butler this season. As a second-apron team, they cannot combine salaries in a deal, and they have nobody on the roster who makes more than Butler.
Tier 9: Technically possible, but will never happen
Boston Celtics
Celtics get: Jimmy Butler
Heat get: Jaylen Brown
Pistons get: Josh Richardson
Technically, if the Boston Celtics got a third team involved, they could make this deal happen financially. But they would never do it. Trading Jaylen Brown for Butler makes zero sense. Conversation over.
New York Knicks
Knicks get: Jimmy Butler
Heat get: Karl-Anthony Towns
Pistons get: Josh Richardson
If the New York Knicks got a third team involved to take on one of Miami’s minimum contracts, they could make a deal happen legally, but only if they traded Karl-Anthony Towns. That’s not happening, so there’s no deal to be discussed.
New Orleans Pelicans
Pelicans get: Jimmy Butler, Duncan Robinson, Pelle Larsson
Heat get: Brandon Ingram, CJ McCollum, 2026 First-round pick
This deal would never happen. Technically the New Orleans Pelicans could get to Butler’s salary if they combined a bunch of players together next to Brandon Ingram, but they would have to include the likes of Herb Jones, Trey Murphy III, and Yves Missi.
New Orleans isn’t giving up any of those guys.
That leaves CJ McCollum and Ingram, and in order for that to work, the Heat would have to ship out Duncan Robinson and Pelle Larsson.
Throw in the fact that adding Butler would ruin the Pelicans’ chances at getting Cooper Flagg, and this trade makes zero sense for anyone involved.
Philadelphia 76ers
76ers get: Jimmy Butler
Heat get: Paul George
Pistons get: Josh Richardson
Would the Philadelphia 76ers trade Paul George for Butler? Maybe. But a third team would have to get involved for it to work financially. Regardless, the Heat would never go for it, so there’s nothing to talk about.
Tier 8: The Cooper Flagg sweepstakes
Toronto Raptors
Raptors get: Jimmy Butler
Heat get: Bruce Brown, Kelly Olynyk, Ochai Agbaji, Ja’Kobe Walter, 2026 First-round pick (via IND, Top 4-protected), 2027 First-round pick
Neither team would want to make this trade. The Toronto Raptors would be ruining their chance at getting Cooper Flagg and would probably only scratch the surface of a Play-In team.
Meanwhile, the Heat wouldn’t be getting great value, even though Ochai Agbaji and Ja’Kobe Walter are somewhat interesting young players. This deal just doesn’t make sense.
Washington Wizards
Wizards get: Jimmy Butler
Heat get: Kyle Kuzma, Malcolm Brogdon, 2029 First-round pick, 2031 First-round pick
The only way the math works for this trade is if the Washington Wizards give up Kyle Kuzma and Malcolm Brogdon. But they have no reason to want to improve. They want to win the lottery.
And unfortunately for Miami, there isn’t enough financial flexibility for them to get any of the Wizards’ young prospects. (Not that either side would want to make this deal, anyway.)
Portland Trail Blazers
Blazers get: Jimmy Butler
Heat get: Anfernee Simons, Robert Williams, Matisse Thybulle, 2030 First-round pick (via BOS), Two second-round picks
The Portland Trail Blazers have no reason to trade for Butler this season (even if this trade wouldn’t involve them losing too many key pieces). They are trying to get Cooper Flagg, and adding Butler would hurt that concept.
Miami isn’t getting an awful return here, but they would probably rather look elsewhere for a trade.
Besides, after the Damian Lillard sweepstakes a couple of summers ago, these two sides probably aren’t eager to go into business with one another.
Utah Jazz
Jazz get: Jimmy Butler
Heat get: John Collins, Collin Sexton, 2025 First-round pick (via CLE), 2027 First-round pick (via CLE)
The Utah Jazz want to go after Cooper Flagg. Trading for Butler would hurt their chances of accomplishing that goal. Therefore, there is no deal to be made.
Plus, the only pieces the Heat would probably want back in a deal are pieces the Jazz won’t want to give up.
Tier 7: Doesn't make sense
Charlotte Hornets
Hornets get: Jimmy Butler
Heat get: Miles Bridges, Josh Green, Nick Smith Jr., 2026 First-round pick, 2028 First-round pick
The Charlotte Hornets pairing Butler with LaMelo Ball would certainly be interesting, but considering how little forward progress they’ve made in recent years, it might be jumping the gun a bit. He’d also hurt their chances in this summer’s draft lottery.
Plus, this package isn’t exactly all that and a bag of chips from the Heat’s perspective. They could probably do better.
Chicago Bulls
Bulls get: Jimmy Butler
Heat get: Lonzo Ball, Patrick Williams, Ayo Dosunmu, 2029 First-round pick, 2031 First-round pick
There is no reason for either of these teams to make this deal. For the Chicago Bulls, it would be a cool story to see Butler back in town, but they aren’t in a position to win right now.
And for the Heat, this trade package is downright bad. They should want way more for Butler (although if he’s going to leave in free agency anyway, they could be playing a dangerous game).
Indiana Pacers
Pacers get: Jimmy Butler, Kevin Love
Heat get: Myles Turner, Obi Toppin, Aaron Nesmith, Jarace Walker, 2029 First-round pick
The Indiana Pacers would actually be a very intriguing landing spot for Butler, but the only way for the financial gymnastics to work would be giving up four players, including their only healthy center outside of Thomas Bryant. That would put them in a brutal spot.
Miami would get a nice haul of rotation players, so they may actually be interested in this type of deal. That said, the Pacers almost certainly wouldn’t go for it.
Atlanta Hawks
Hawks get: Jimmy Butler
Heat get: De’Andre Hunter, Zaccharie Risacher, Larry Nance Jr., 2025 First-round pick (via LAL), 2029 First-round pick
This deal is a bit wonky. The Atlanta Hawks are having a surprisingly solid season, so adding Butler could potentially help them make a playoff push. But with the young core they have rolling, trading some of it for an aging star doesn’t make much sense.
For Miami, this wouldn’t be a terrible return for Butler, especially if they believe in Zaccharie Risacher as a long-term prospect. But overall, this one seems fairly outlandish.
Tier 6: Would make a little sense if they weren’t dominating
Cleveland Cavaliers
Cavaliers get: Jimmy Butler
Heat get: Caris LeVert, Max Strus, Isaac Okoro, Dean Wade, 2026 First-round pick (Swap worst with UTA), 2031 First-round pick
Neither of these teams should want to make this trade. There’s some upside for the Cleveland Cavaliers, as they would be going all-in on a phenomenal season, but their depth would be shattered, and they shouldn’t want to trade any of their core four.
Meanwhile, the Heat wouldn’t be getting anywhere close to the value they would want in a trade like this.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Thunder get: Jimmy Butler
Heat get: Lu Dort, Isaiah Joe, Aaron Wiggins, 2025 First-round pick (via HOU with swap stipulations), 2026 First-round pick (via LAC), 2030 First-round pick
The Oklahoma City Thunder have no reason to mess up their roster right now. They are one of the best teams in the league and are fully capable of making a title run. Why shake things up?
Miami would probably love to strike a deal with Oklahoma CIty, considering how many picks they have, but the Thunder should stay away from this sweepstakes.
Tier 5: One team shouldn’t do it, but rumors exist
Brooklyn Nets
Nets get: Jimmy Butler
Heat get: Cameron Johnson, Cam Thomas, Bojan Bogdanovic, 2026 First-round pick, 2027 First-round pick (via NYK)
Earlier this season, it was rumored that Butler would like to play for the Brooklyn Nets. This may have been a ploy by his agent to help Butler secure an extension, as the Nets will have cap space next summer, but still, the rumor is out there.
Brooklyn would lock in Butler for the year, but considering they could simply target him in free agency over the summer, they shouldn’t be in a rush. Plus, he would hurt their chances of moving up in the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes, so they probably wouldn’t want to make the deal this year.
That said, this would certainly be an offer worthy of Miami’s attention.
Phoenix Suns
Suns get: Jimmy Butler
Heat get: Bradley Beal, 2026 First-round pick (Least favorable swap with stipulations), 2030 First-round pick (Least favorable swap with stipulations), 2031 First-round pick
Pistons get: Josh Richardson
The Phoenix Suns would have to get very creative in order to offer the Heat a fair package for Butler, and even if they did, any deal for him would have to involve them sending out Bradley Beal.
Miami should not want Beal. This deal may be possible simply because it’s been thrown around in rumors a lot, but it doesn’t make much sense for the Heat.
Tier 4: Interesting, but just not there
LA Clippers
Clippers get: Jimmy Butler, Josh Richardson
Heat get: Norman Powell, PJ Tucker, Terance Mann, Derrick Jones Jr., 2029 First-round pick
This is a weird deal. The LA Clippers would be able to form a nice little squad out West, but they’ve been down the Big 3 path before. This would gut their depth pretty significantly.
Miami would get some decent rotation players, but none of them are very young. And while the first-rounder could end up being valuable, this isn’t an amazing overall package.
Detroit Pistons
Pistons get: Jimmy Butler, Josh Richardson
Heat get: Tobias Harris, Tim Hardaway Jr., Ron Holland II, 2028 First-round pick, 2030 First-Round pick
The Detroit Pistons may actually be in the market to take a bit of a swing. With Butler on board, they could push for the postseason, and if they convinced him to stick around, it could be great for Cade Cunningham. However, it’s not a perfect fit with their current timeline.
As for Miami, this isn’t a great trade package, but Ron Holland II could be an intriguing prospect, and if things don’t work out in Detroit, their future picks may be decent.
Orlando Magic
Magic get: Jimmy Butler
Heat get: Jonathan Isaac, Cole Anthony, Anthony Black, 2025 First-round pick, 2027 First-round pick
If Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner were healthy, this deal would be a lot more intriguing. Even so, trading for Butler would certainly keep the Orlando Magic competitive, and perhaps they could even make a little playoff run.
That said, this isn’t the best trade package for Miami. The two picks may not be great because of Orlando’s upward trajectory, and even though Anthony Black is a solid prospect, the other two pieces involved don’t move the needle too much.
Sacramento Kings
Kings get: Jimmy Butler
Heat get: DeMar DeRozan, Kevin Huerter, Devin Carter, 2027 First-round pick, 2029 First-round pick (Lottery protected)
It’s been a rough year for the Sacramento Kings, and trading for Butler could probably help them push forward in the West. However, it would require them giving up a lot of assets.
Miami may not love taking on DeMar DeRozan’s contract, and the same can be said for Kevin Huerter, but Devin Carter and the picks would be intriguing additions.
This could make a little sense for both sides, but it seems like the Kings are destined to make a smaller move for a rotation player. Plus, Miami would probably search for a better trade package.
Tier 3: Solid ideas, but something is off
Dallas Mavericks
Mavericks get: Jimmy Butler
Heat get: Klay Thompson, PJ Washington, Daniel Gafford, Dwight Powell, 2025 First-round pick
The Dallas Mavericks have been one of the teams mentioned as a potential landing spot for Butler. In theory, it makes sense, but in practice, it’s almost impossible to make a deal work financially.
This is virtually the only way to make it happen, and the Mavs would be completely gutting their depth and losing some key players in the process.
Meanwhile, the Heat wouldn’t even be getting back an amazing package in terms of young pieces. A deal here just doesn’t make a ton of practical sense for either side.
Denver Nuggets
Nuggets get: Jimmy Butler
Heat get: Michael Porter Jr., Zeke Nnaji, Julian Strawther, 2028 Second-round pick
Pistons get: Dario Saric
The only way for the Denver Nuggets to trade for Butler would be to get a third team involved. (The Detroit Pistons have the most cap flexibility around the association right now.)
This could actually be a pretty interesting idea for Denver. They’ve been looking for a spark, and Butler would give them that. The tandem of Nikola Jokic and Butler could definitely compete in the West.
However, the Heat might not get the return they’re looking for here, especially from a draft capital perspective (Denver doesn’t have many picks to trade). Unless they really like Michael Porter Jr. and Julian Strawther, they may stray away. But it’s not the most unlikely package.
Memphis Grizzlies
Grizzlies get: Jimmy Butler
Heat get: Desmond Bane, Luke Kennard, 2028 First-round pick, Two second-round picks
This may be one of the better deals of the bunch, but it leaves one question unanswered—why would the Memphis Grizzlies mess with what they have going on?
They are already one of the best teams in the West, and trading away a core piece like Desmond Bane is a huge risk. That said, getting a guy like Butler would raise their current playoff ceiling.
For the Heat, pairing Bane with Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo moving forward would be fun, and the rest of the deal would fill in the rest of the value.
Tier 2: Actually interesting concepts
San Antonio Spurs
Spurs get: Jimmy Butler
Heat get: Keldon Johnson, Zach Collins, Tre Jones, 2025 First-round pick (via ATL), 2027 First-round pick (via ATL), Two second-round picks
This is one of the most interesting landing spots for Butler. The San Antonio Spurs are a fringe playoff team, but adding Butler could make them a very annoying team to play in the postseason.
A few years of having Butler next to Victor Wembanyama could create some dangerous teams in the West, especially with Jeremy Sochan, Stephon Castle, and Chris Paul there, too.
This isn’t the best trade package for Miami, but they could push for an extra first-round pick. Snagging two Atlanta Hawks picks wouldn’t be terrible, either.
Los Angeles Lakers
Lakers get: Jimmy Butler, Alec Burks
Heat get: Rui Hachimura, Austin Reaves, Jarred Vanderbilt, 2029 First-round pick (via LAL), 2031 First-round pick (Lottery protected via LAL)
Pistons get: Gabe Vincent, Two second-round picks (via LAL)
The fact that the Los Angeles Lakers have to give up four players in this deal makes it inherently unlikely, but they don’t have the worst package in the world.
There’s technically a way for them to put together a deal that doesn’t include Austin Reaves, but the Heat probably wouldn’t go for it. And in this scenario, they’d still have Shake Milton and Alec Burks for point guard depth. (Though LeBron James would likely just run the show.)
Miami probably would like to get a better offer elsewhere, but Reaves and Rui Hachimura aren’t terrible, and the future first could be valuable.
Tier 1: The best offers
Houston Rockets
Rockets get: Jimmy Butler
Heat get: Steven Adams, Reed Sheppard, Jabari Smith Jr., Jae’Sean Tate, 2028 First-round pick
Butler goes back to Texas, and the Houston Rockets improve their chances of a deep playoff run. That’s a win-win. Houston could do a deal with Dillon Brooks and keep Reed Sheppard, but this would help them maintain their defensive front.
The Rockets reportedly don’t want to shake up their core this year, so maybe they wouldn’t do this deal, but it would certainly make them better right now.
Miami comes out of this looking pretty solid, too. Jabari Smith Jr. would like nice next to Bam Adebayo, and Reed Sheppard is a very intriguing two-way guard prospect.
Golden State Warriors
Warriors get: Jimmy Butler, Josh Richardson
Heat get: Andrew Wiggins, Gary Payton II, Kevon Looney, Jonathan Kuminga, 2028 First-round pick
This idea has been floating around quite a bit since the Butler rumors popped up. Pairing Stephen Curry with Butler would create a very competitive team out West, and this is a deal the Golden State Warriors could definitely consider.
It makes some sense from the Heat’s perspective, too. They’d be getting a nice young prospect in Jonathan Kuminga, as well as some rotation pieces. Plus, that first-rounder could be valuable if Curry and Butler are retired by then.