Heat Predicted To Add Veteran NBA Champion In Trade Sending Jimmy Butler To Spurs

Anthony Pasciolla | Jan 6, 2025

Dec 7, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) is introduced during pregame ceremonies before a game against the Phoenix Suns at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images / Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

Winning is the No. 1 priority for Miami Heat team president Pat Riley and the rest of the front office.

This is true whether six-time All-Star Jimmy Butler is on the court or not. Odds are, the Heat will be looking to contend without Butler in the near future, but instead, the win-now return package Riley is truly happy with. One of the top criteria for a win-now player is to have experience winning, which is what the San Antonio Spurs could send in return for the 35-year-old.

FanSided predicted the following trade could take place between the Heat and Spurs, landing a veteran NBA champion in Miami:

Spurs receive: Jimmy Butler, Josh Richardson

Heat receive: Harrison Barnes, Keldon Johnson, Malaki Branham, 2025 first-round pick, 2027 first-round pick

The reality is that although all three of these Spurs players can make an immediate impact in the Heat's rotation, better offers should come forth. Barnes remains a consistent rotational piece while Johnson and Branham could develop into truly promising pieces, but this package does not keep Miami in the hunt for a title.

Instead, the Heat should look to negotiate a three-team trade that brings back a player the caliber of Sacramento Kings' De'Aaron Fox or New Orleans Pelicans' Brandon Ingram.

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Anthony Pasciolla works as a contributing writer to Miami Heat On SI. He can be reached at ampasciolla@gmail.com or follow him on X @AnthonyPasci.