As the noise around Jimmy Butler’s future with the Miami Heat grows louder, more teams are being bandied about as potential landing spots.
If the Heat are indeed listening to trade offers for Butler, they can field calls from beyond Butler’s reported list of preferred destinations (Golden State, Houston, Dallas, Phoenix). That could include a win-now team such as the Denver Nuggets.
As per ESPN’s Bobby Marks, dealing Butler to Denver could be difficult considering the cap restrictions, but it’s possible – at least when it comes to making the money work. Here’s the framework Marks proposed:
Miami gets: Michael Porter Jr., Zeke Nnaji
Denver gets: Jimmy Butler, Bobi Klintman
Detroit gets: Dario Saric
Why the Nuggets do it
The Nuggets would get an obvious upgrade in Butler as they aim to cling onto contending status in a competitive Western Conference. Butler’s basketball IQ, efficient style of play and two-way ability would be a seamless fit next to Nikola Jokic.
While there might be spacing concerns, Butler and Jokic are too smart not to figure it out. The Nuggets could also stagger Butler and Jokic to ensure they have a fulcrum of offense on the floor at all times.
Butler would also help relieve Jokic and Jamal Murray of some playmaking duties and give the Nuggets another ace defender to deploy against the top wings in the West in a playoff series.
Why the Pistons do it
A draft pick, or cash, likely has to head their way.
Why the Heat do it
Although the Heat are getting a worse player in the deal, that’s baked into the result when trading a superstar player like Butler. However, Michael Porter Jr. is an intriguing fit in Miami.
At 6-foot-10, Porter is a floor-spacing forward who has shot 40% on nearly six 3-point attempts per game for his career. He’s averaging 18.9 points on 51% shooting, 7 rebounds and 2.9 assists this season.
Porter, 26, is due $35.8 million, $38.3 million and $40.8 million over the next three seasons. In a post-Butler world, surrounding Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro with size and spacing would be the priority. Porter isn’t a perfect player, but he does check both of those boxes and fits their timeline.
Adding backup center Zeke Nnaji could be a new project for Miami’s development program. Nnaji, 23, has had a hard time carving out regular playing time on the Nuggets and could be in need of a change of scenery.
The Nuggets can include a 2031 first-round pick that Miami would surely ask for in a deal. So a package of Porter, Nnaji and a future first for Butler? It doesn’t feel like equal value, but it would give the Heat a valuable piece if they decide to move on from Butler and pivot into the next era of Heat basketball.