Grade the trade idea: Jimmy Butler teams up with Steph Curry as Heat reset

Why Heat do it

Speaking for myself, I have no interest in the Jimmy Butler era in Miami ending in a trade. The incredible playoff moments Butler has had on the Heat have been an utter joy to witness.

To me, the Heat trading Jimmy Butler this season means two things: The chances of winning a championship are slim-to-none, and there is a good chance he walks away in the offseason, with Miami getting nothing in return.

If both these things are true, then I understand the sentiment of wanting him to be traded, and there is a lot to like about this hypothetical package from the Warriors.

To start, Jonathan Kuminga is an awesome young talent. He has freakish physical tools and looks well on his way to being an elite slasher in the NBA.

Adding Kuminga to a young core that includes Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Nikola Jovic would be intriguing. It would give the Heat three big wings who have shown flashes of shot-creation chops.

The draft capital Miami would be receiving is nothing to scoff at either, in particular the 2027 and 2028 picks. If the Warriors are built around aging stars Curry, Butler and Green, it’s possible that those picks will be valuable.

Rounding out the trade with a handful of veterans who have contributed to winning a championship, I think this package would be about as good as it gets for Miami.

The only thing keeping me from giving this an A grade is the disappointment of Jimmy Butler leaving Miami without a ring.

Trade gade: A-