Report: Heat to Acquire Jimmy Butler in Sign-and-Trade With 76ers

Butler had received interest from the Rockets and Clippers before landing in Miami.

The Miami Heat are set to acquire free agent Jimmy Butler in a sign-and-trade with the Philadelphia 76ers, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Sunday.

According to The Athletic's Shams Charania, the Heat are sending Josh Richardson back to the Sixers. The Mavericks will also acquire Kelly Olynyk and Derrick Jones from the Heat as part of the Butler sign-and-trade, per the New York Times's Marc Stein.

However, Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.com reports the Heat are still working on the deal and potentially trading Goran Dragic.

The Heat is still working on options to complete the Jimmy Butler sign and trade with Philadelphia, according to a league source. Out of respect for Goran Dragic, the Heat are working with him and his representatives to find a trade partner by July 6.

— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) July 1, 2019

Butler, 29, entered the free-agent market after declining his $19.8 million player option with the Sixers. Butler received interest from the Rockets and Clippers before landing in Miami. The Rockets made Butler their "priority" this offseason, while the Clippers were eyeing to pair him with free-agent star Kawhi Leonard in Los Angeles. 

In 55 games with the Sixers, Butler averaged 18.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.8 steals. Philadelphia acquired the four-time All-Star from the Timberwolves in November along with Justin Patton in a deal that sent Jerryd Bayless, Robert Covington, Dario Šarić and a 2022 second-round draft pick to Minnesota.

Butler is also a four-time NBA All-Defensive Team honoree and a two-time All-NBA third-team selection.

The Heat finished the regular season 39–43, falling short of a playoff appearance.