According to an NBA insider, the Golden State Warriors may have “made a couple calls” to the Miami Heat to inquire about Jimmy Butler’s availability.
The Athletic’s Sam Amick on an episode of “The TK Show” was discussing what’s next for the Warriors as they attempt to trade for a new Steph Curry co-star when he mentioned Butler's name.
“You need the wheels to fall off somewhere,” Amick said. “Not free agency-wise, talking trade-wise. A couple guys who come to mind, Jimmy Butler is going to be a free agent next summer. Didn’t get an extension done. The Warriors, as you know, have interest there and I think probably made a couple calls during the summer. That name comes to mind.”
The Golden State Warriors could call again about Jimmy Butler if the Miami Heat's season goes south.
It’s no secret that the Warriors are desperate for an All-Star-caliber roster upgrade. They swung and missed on trades for Paul George and Lauri Markkanen. (There was even that report that they called the Lakers in February about LeBron James.) The LA Clippers and Utah Jazz were not interested in Golden State’s offer, which reportedly did not include either Jonathan Kuminga or Brandin Podziemski.
Would the Warriors offer their best package for Butler, should he become available? Unlike Paul and Markkanen, Butler is NBA Finals-tested. His inside-out physicality would appear to be an on-court fit with Curry. A yin to his yang.
Butler will be 35 this month. Curry is 36. Teaming up would mark a last dash at a first title for Butler and a fifth for Curry.
For now, this is all hypothetical. At no point does Amick suggest that Butler is currently available. A lot would have to happen between now and the trade deadline for this scenario to become realistic.
If the Heat underperform and don’t look close to contending by January or February, maybe the Heat could explore Butler’s value on the trade market.
Butler has a $52.4 million player option for the 2025-26 season and can become a free agent next summer. If the organization determines the Butler era is over, trading him for assets and young players could help kickstart the next era of Heat basketball.
This report also underscores the Heat’s reluctance to entertain trade calls for Butler. The Heat don’t want to take a step back, even a calculated one, as long as they believe they can still compete for a title. (And this front office does believe it can compete for a title this season.)
With Butler entering what could amount to a contract year, the Heat hope he is more motivated and engaged than last season’s pedestrian performance. A motivated Butler, prime Bam Adebayo, a full season of Terry Rozier, healthy Tyler Herro, internal growth from Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Nikola Jovic, and contributions from rookie Kel’el Ware could propel the Heat up the Eastern Conference standings.
The Warriors may hope the opposite will come true and that they can vulture on whatever remains of the Jimmy Butler era.