A blockbuster trade proposal has the Miami Heat sending superstar guard Jimmy Butler to an Eastern Conference rival that would shake up the NBA playoff race in 2024.
Jimmy Butler is under contract for one more year, but he has a $52.4 million player option for the 2025-26 season. Of course, Butler will be entering his age-36 season then, so it’s hard to envision him opting out of his contact.
Following Miami’s first-round elimination at the hands of the Boston Celtics, Butler trade speculation has rapidly increased. And as legendary executive Pat Riley knows, it’s always better to get rid of a star player a year too early rather than a year too late.
If Jimmy Butler ends up hitting the trade block, there won’t be a shortage of teams interested in the two-way superstar.
Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes proposed a mammoth trade idea that has the Heat sending Butler to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for 2024, 2026 and 2028 first-round draft selections:
“Miami could field offers that feature actual live bodies in addition to picks, but Butler’s age, 34, and extension eligibility make him a somewhat risky acquisition. Three firsts, even if one of them projects to be late in the first round, should appeal to a Heat team that could later flip those picks for Butler’s star replacement.
Butler’s low-volume three-point shooting might not make him the ideal running mate for Embiid and Maxey, but the Sixers could certainly benefit from his postseason experience and ability to carry shorthanded teams for long stretches. That all assumes the five-time All-NBA wing holds up physically as he advances deeper into his 30s.”
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Butler was traded to the 76ers in Nov. 2018, joining a star-studded core led by Joel Embiid, Tobias Harris and Ben Simmons. The 76ers reached Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, losing to the Toronto Raptors on a Kawhi Leonard buzzer beater.
The 76ers haven’t come close to reaching the conference finals ever since, so a reunion with Butler makes perfect sense.
Jimmy Butler Is The Ideal Trade Target For 76ers
Philadelphia has struggled to find the ideal sidekick for Embiid. Simmons forced a trade in 2022, and James Harden was dealt to the Los Angeles Clippers after spending less than two years in Philly.
Butler is a prolific scorer and defensive stalwart who would perfectly complement Embiid, as we saw in the 2018-19 season. Miami’s championship window has obviously closed, whereas Butler would have several years to win title with Embiid’s 76ers.
Add it all up, and a reunion with Butler makes too much sense for Philadelphia to not happen.
