Is six-time All-Star swingman Jimmy Butler actually planning to finish his career with the Miami Heat?
The 34-year-old continued to contribute at his typical high level as a two-way player for the 46-36 Heat, who finished the season as the Eastern Conference’s eighth seed. During his 60 healthy games, he averaged 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, five assists, and 1.3 steals per night.
Butler damaged the MCL in his right knee during the Heat’s opening play-in game of the playoffs, a 105-104 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, and missed the entire five-game series loss to the great Boston Celtics.
According to Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald, Butler is seeking for a two-year contract extension of up to $113 million. Butler’s current contract with the team includes one more guaranteed season and a $52.4 million player option for 2025-26. The Heat do not need to rush to extend Butler’s contract, but he is putting pressure on the team to do so. As a result, he has been the focus of trade rumours.
During an interview with “Willard and Dibs” presenters Mark T. Willard and Dan Dibley on 95.7 The Fan San Francisco, ESPN’s Nick Friedell disclosed that there has been talk about a deal that would benefit both parties.
“Jimmy Butler’s name came up in the conversation,” Friedell explained. “I believe it is a good fit on paper, but I’m not sure how he fits into that locker room as the alpha personality that he is, and I’m not sure if the Warriors would want to give him that deal after all of the wear and play on his knees. “That would scare the hell out of me.”
Friedell makes a valid point about the 6-foot-7 swingman’s health. Butler has not played more than 65 games in the NBA since the 2016-17 season with the Chicago Bulls, which was several teams ago.
Butler is an excellent player who has led two of his underdog Heat teams to the NBA Finals in 2020 and 2023. The Warriors, of course, have four championships, but they missed the playoffs last year as their core of Stephen Curry (36), Klay Thompson (34, and set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer if he doesn’t agree to terms on his own extension), and Draymond Green (33), continues to age. Jonathan Kuminga, the 2021 lottery pick, finally took off in 2023-24 and now appears to be a marginal blue-chip player.
Obviously, a deal for Butler would not be cheap for Golden State. Kuminga appears to be the most obvious youthful asset Miami would like for its veteran superstar. Prior to the start of free agency, the Heat may package Kuminga and some future draft equity, as well as the contracts of forward Andrew Wiggins, guard Gary Payton II, and centre Kevon Looney, in exchange for Butler’s $45.2 million salary.
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