This blockbuster, 3-team trade idea solves all of the Miami Heat's problems

Butler to Golden State, Durant to Miami?

Miami Heat v Phoenix Suns
Miami Heat v Phoenix Suns | Chris Coduto/GettyImages

Yesterday, we covered why Kevin Durant, not Bradley Beal, could be the star heading out from the Phoenix Suns before Thursday’s trade deadline. The Miami Heat would be very interested in adding someone of Durant’s caliber. It’s hard to imagine a better way to turn the page on this Jimmy Butler saga.

Teams are calling the Suns about Kevin Durant, according to multiple reports. 

According to Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix, “Rival execs believe the Suns are strongly considering Durant deals before the deadline.”

Finding a way to construct a deal can be difficult. The Suns are still dealing with the restrictions that come with being a second-apron team, and the asking price for Durant will be high. Durant trying to navigate his way to his desired location (wherever that may be) could bring that price down a bit.

Meanwhile, rumors continue to swirl about the Golden State Warriors’ interest in Butler. The Warriors have been public about not wanting to mortgage the future, and trading for Butler wouldn’t cost nearly as much as trading for Durant. Approached with the chance of re-acquiring Durant, the Warriors may decide to part with their more valuable assets, or maybe they’d prefer the bargain Butler.

Just for fun, I thought we could build out a trade that sends Butler to Golden State and brings Durant to Miami. A best-case scenario for the Heat, I know. But here we go:

Miami gets: Durant, Gui Santos

Golden State gets: Jimmy Butler

Phoenix gets: Andrew Wiggins, Dennis Schroder, Kevon Looney, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Miami’s unprotected 2031 first-round pick, Golden State’s top-10 protected 2025 first-round pick, two second-round picks (from Miami)

Why the Heat do it:

Uh, they’re getting Kevin Freaking Durant. Even at 35, Durant is still an All-NBA shot-maker who would become Miami’s best scorer since LeBron James. Durant would open up lineups with Bam Adebayo and Kel’el Ware. Tyler Herro and Durant would create space for everyone. This deal would do more than turn the page on the Butler saga, it would make the team better and elevate them to a top-six team in the East.

Why the Warriors do it:

Perhaps the Warriors would prefer to land Durant, but if Durant bristles at a Bay Area return, they could settle for Butler. A Butler trade also doesn’t cost the Warriors any of their best assets or young players. Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody and Brandin Podziemski aren’t included in the deal and they still have control of their picks beyond this June. This deal makes the Warriors better, at minimal cost.

Why the Suns do it:

Should they trade Durant, the Suns would look to revamp the roster around Devin Booker (and Bradley Beal). Wiggins, Schroder and Looney would walk into Phoenix’s locker room as some of their better role players. 

A starting lineup of Booker, Beal, Wiggins, Ryan Dunn and Looney, with Schroder, Tyus Jones, Grayson Allen, Jaquez, Royce O’Neale and Nick Richards has a bit more defensive heft and balance. Even if it’s missing Durant, it’s something to build off of.

Why Jaquez? This is where Phoenix’s position as a second apron team comes in. The Suns are prohibited from bringing back more salary in a trade than they send out. Adding Jaquez to the deal leaves just $191,000 in room for the Suns.

They’d presumably prefer Kel’el Ware in a trade (better prospect at a position of need), but can’t acquire him because he makes $500,000 more than Jaquez this season, which would push the total return to a few hundred thousand more than what they are sending out. 

The Warriors also have to match outgoing salary, so there isn’t much wiggle room in what they include. The Warriors could potentially get a third team involved to take Schroder’s salary, which could open a pathway to the Suns adding Ware instead of – or in addition to – Jaquez. 

A lot of moving parts before the deadline. Buckle up.

Schedule