Report: Jimmy Butler 'Hopes' For Trade To Star-Studded Western Conference Team

Sean Jordan | 10 Hours Ago

Jan 2, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) warms-up before the game against the Indiana Pacers at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images / Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

The Jimmy Butler sweepstakes are being hard-fought by many teams.

Butler reportedly listed three organizations he would like to join if traded. Those teams included the Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns. According to new reports, Butler seems to have honed in on one of those destinations.

NBA insider Jake Fischer reported that Butler hopes to become a member of the Suns. He would join All-Stars Kevin Durant and Devin Booker.

"Word has permeated the league that Jimmy Butler hopes to be traded to Phoenix," Fischer reported. "This is no exaggeration: Every high-ranking team official contacted by The Stein Line for this story shared their belief that the Suns are the destination Butler desires on the other side of his standoff with the Heat. You hear the same sentiment even from executives with teams that have been mentioned as potential Butler suitors."

The Heat and Butler remain in a standoff after the team suspended the disgruntled star for seven games. The suspension came after his comments saying his "joy" for playing basketball was ruined in Miami.

Butler's trade request comes after an offseason where he was denied a contract extension by the Heat. Butler is looking for a long-term extension but at his age, the team felt it was risky to extend him beyond his contract.

Fischer added, "The consistent word in circulation is that Butler wants to land in the desert not only to play alongside Kevin Durant and Devin Booker but because Suns owner Mat Ishbia has a proven willingness to splash out the lucrative contract extension he has been unable to secure from the Heat."

To acquire Butler, the Suns would most likely have to part ways with Bradley Beal. Butler is currently making $48.8 million while Beal is making $50.2 million. In most cases, a 1-for-1 swap could work with those two salaries.

However, both teams fall under the category of tax apron teams. The Heat would not be able to acquire Beal's contract straight up for Butler as Beal is making more money than Butler. Usually, there could be some financial flexibility. With the apron, the Heat would need to add more outgoing money.

The trade deadline is Feb. 6.

ROZIER RATED AMONG 'LEAST IMPROVED PLAYERS' THIS SEASON

It's no secret Terry Rozier is having a down year.

The 10-year veteran is seeing a decrease in efficiency this season with the Miami Heat. The Heat traded for Rozier prior to last season's trade deadline. In the trade, the team parted ways with Kyle Lowry and a future first-round pick.

The Ringer's Michael Pina identified the "least improved players" in the NBA this season. Rozier was among those on the list.

"Instead, for the past month, Rozier has been an inconsistent chucker off the bench and has stuck in the corner far too often (while being one of the worst high-volume corner 3-point shooters in the league)," Pina said. "His inability to adapt as a third, fourth, or fifth option (against defenses that can’t pay him as much attention as they used to) has crippled a team that craves the dynamic impression he used to make. 

Entering the season, Rozier was projected to start at point guard. With the combination of Tyler Herro's breakout and his own inefficencies, Rozier has been relegated to a role off the bench.

Rozier was the only Heat player to make the list. However, a few other players were dishonorably mentioned as having been disappointing this season.

"The Heat employ a couple of candidates for this column. Bam Adebayo is having a strangely inconsistent season, and Jaime Jaquez Jr. has—to put it kindly—not made the leap Miami was counting on. But despite being the fifth-oldest player on the roster, Rozier is the most (least?) deserving; his true usage rate has made the steepest drop (11.6 percentage points) in the league from last season."

This season, Rozier is averaging 12.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists. His 40 percent from the field along with his 30 percent from beyond the arc are his lowest shooting splits since the 2019 season.

BUCKS TOLD TO 'BACK OFF' JIMMY BUTLER

The list of teams in the hunt to acquire Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler is getting smaller.

On Tuesday, veteran NBA insider Chris Haynes reported on X that teams are being crossed off the list. These teams are being told not to attempt to trade for the disgruntled star. Haynes reported one of the teams are the Memphis Grizzlies.

Other teams went unnamed in the report but Yahoo! Sports' Kevin O'Connor identified another destination warned to not pursue Butler.

"There’s been a lot of chirping in NBA circles about the future of Miami Heat veteran Jimmy Butler", O'Connor said. "On Tuesday morning, Chris Haynes reported on X that the Memphis Grizzlies and a few other teams received word that Butler has no interest in being there. One of those other teams? Sources told me the Milwaukee Bucks were also told to back off."

The Bucks are led by Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. They have the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference with a 18-16 record.

Why would Jimmy Butler not want to play in Milwaukee opposite two All-NBA talents? O'Connor had more to add:

"So, Butler wants out of Miami. But he doesn’t want to play for the team with the second-most wins in the stacked West. Or for the team led by Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. What is it that he wants? This is obvious. Money."

Butler's issue with Miami dates back to last summer. Butler wanted an extension from the organization but Heat president Pat Riley acted reluctant to extend him. At 35 years old, the Heat are afraid to commit to Butler for more seasons.

The Bucks are tied to Antetokounmpo and Lillard's contracts for the next few seasons, making it difficult extend Butler beyond this season if they traded for him.

With Milwaukee reportedly crossed off the list, Butler hopes his next destination is willing to give him a long-term contract.

Sean Jordan is a contributor to Miami Heat On Sports Illustrated. He can be reached at sjorda06@syr.edu.

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