After it was reported last week that the Miami Heat are open to listening to offers for Jimmy Butler, NBA Insider Shams Charania claimed that Butler’s agent Burnie Lee has indicated in league circles that the Mavericks, Rockets, Warriors, and Suns were teams that the six-time all-star is open to joining.
Later on his own X account, Butler's agent, Bernie Lee, denied that these statements were factual. Regardless of what’s true and what’s not, the news is out there, and it may be time for Heat fans to start looking at what Miami can get back in a potential Jimmy Butler trade. Let’s rank what the Heat can get back asset-wise from his four “preferred destinations” if he gets traded from Miami.
4. Phoenix Suns
Players assets: Bradley Beal (No Trade Clause)
Draft Picks: 2031 first
The Suns may be looking to add more pieces, considering that the duo of Kevin Durant and Devin Booker have not made it to the conference finals yet, but a Jimmy Butler trade or any trade, to be quite honest, would be difficult for the Suns to make.
The Suns currently sit well in the second apron and are $45.7 million over the tax. The only possible way the Suns could acquire Jimmy Butler is by trading Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, or Bradley Beal, as teams in the second apron cannot aggregate contracts in any deal. If the Suns wanted Butler to try to make a push in the west, they would not trade Durant or Booker, which leaves Beal as the odd one out.
There are two problems: Beal makes $50.2 million a year, and if Miami wanted to flip Beal later, he would still have his no-trade clause. At that point, trading for a worse player who makes more money, Miami might as well extend Jimmy Butler.
3. Dallas Mavericks
Player assets: Klay Thompson, PJ Washington, Daniel Gafford, Jaden Hardy, Quentin Grimes, Naji Marshall
Draft Picks: 2025 or 2026 first, 2031 first
The Mavericks just made the finals last season, but Dallas is not satisfied with Luka Doncic just entering his prime. A trade for Jimmy Butler would signify the Mavericks going all-in, as Butler and Kyrie Irving would be on the same timeline age-wise. The trade would require Dallas to give up four or maybe even five players to get Butler. That would hurt the Mavericks' depth, but it could come as a benefit in Miami.
In any trade that involves the Mavericks, Miami will have to get two of Klay Thompson, PJ Washington, and Daniel Gafford, along with two or three more salary fillers and young guys.
Considering that the Heat want to move into a younger timeline, I do not think Klay would be the best fit on this Miami team, considering the assent of Tyler Herro.
However, a backup center like Gafford and young guys like Jaden Hardy and Quentin Grimes could fit right into “Heat Culture.” With Thompson as the headliner for any Mavericks trade, I cannot see Miami doing it.
2. Golden State Warriors
Player assets: Andrew Wiggins, Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski, Kevon Looney, Gary Payton II, Kyle Anderson
Draft Picks: 2025-2028 firsts
The Warriors are star-hunting, and everyone in the league knows it. At the last trade deadline, Golden State made an offer to the Lakers for LeBron James, and in the offseason, the Warriors heavily pursued Paul George and Lauri Markkanen.
Clearly, the Warriors are trying to extend Steph Curry’s window, and they may have the assets to do it.
In any trade to get Butler, Wiggins will most likely be in the deal as a salary filler, plus the Warriors would most likely forge over 22-year-old Jonathan Kuminga as well, along with two more salary filler/young guys and one or two first-round picks. Kuminga is the most coveted asset in this trade and has put up nearly 20 PPG in the last 10 contests for the Warriors. Even Wiggins has been playing well after some down-years.
This trade would improve Miami’s bench, make up for a lot of production lost from Butler, and keep the team competitive, all while becoming younger.
1. Houston Rockets
Player assets: Fred VanVleet, Jabari Smith Jr., Dillion Brooks, Cam Whitmore, Tari Eason, Steven Adams, Jock Landale, Jeff Green, Jae'Sean Tate
Draft Picks: 2027-2031 firsts, 2027 first (via PHX), 2027 Nets swap
The Rockets are sitting in a great spot in the Western Conference, holding third place with a 17-9 record, and are one of the younger teams in the league. The question is, do the Rockets break up some of their core to go all-in right now by acquiring Jimmy Butler?
If the answer is yes, Miami will get more than enough in return.
The Heat, in any Rockets trade, could get two of Fred VanVleet, Jabari Smith Jr, or Dillion Brooks, potentially along with another young piece like Cam Whitmore. Not only do the players make this trade compelling for Miami, but the draft picks are even better.
Miami could get the Suns 2027 first-round pick, one of the most coveted picks in the NBA, along with a swap with the Nets in 2027.
This offer has everything Miami could ever ask for in a Jimmy Butler trade: a competitive roster, a younger roster, and valuable draft capital. Houston isn't putting in all their chips, but just getting some of the Rockets’ assets could put Miami in a great position for years to come.