The 2024-25 NBA season is stirring with its first significant trade speculation, initiated by ESPN’s Shams Charania on Tuesday. Charania has indicated that the Miami Heat are receptive to trading proposals for their star player, Jimmy Butler, who is currently posting averages of 19.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game. Additionally, it’s been revealed by Butler’s representative, Bernie Lee, that Butler prefers to join one of three specific teams, or at the very least, a team that is a serious contender for the championship.
“The Heat are willing to consider trade offers for Butler and will proceed if they find the terms favorable,” Charania reported. Butler’s agent has been circulating his preference for teams including the Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks, and the Golden State Warriors. Above all, his priority is to be with a team poised to win a championship immediately.”
Despite Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra disputing these claims when questioned on Tuesday, a trade involving Butler would be monumental. Since joining the Heat in 2019, Butler has become the embodiment of the team’s resilient, no-nonsense ethos. His potential exit could significantly alter the team’s identity. Moreover, Butler represents the most significant trade target this season. Despite his recent challenges with injuries, he remains a high-caliber player who excels defensively and offensively, particularly known for his enhanced performance in the playoffs.
However, several complexities cloud the trade scenario.
Butler’s contract, worth $48 million, includes a player option for the end of this season, which he intends to decline according to ESPN, to enter free agency. Thus, any team trading for him must consider this a rental for the remainder of the season. The Heat, for their part, expect substantial offers and are not looking to just offload Butler for minimal returns. The challenges for potential trade partners are further complicated by the new CBA trade regulations now in effect.
Considering these factors, let’s explore how the three teams most favored by Butler could potentially secure his services, alongside a potential surprise candidate.
Navigating New Territories: The Impact of the CBA on Trading
First, let’s understand how the new CBA rules could influence any attempt to acquire Butler.
The Miami Heat, being over the first tax apron with a collective salary exceeding $178 million, cannot accept more salary in a trade than they send out. This means any trade involving Butler would have to match or be less than his $48 million salary. This rule also applies to any other team with a payroll above this threshold.
Teams above the second apron face even stricter restrictions—they cannot include multiple players in the same trade, necessitating a one-for-one trade where the salaries are nearly identical. This effectively disqualifies any team above this second threshold from acquiring Butler.
Meanwhile, teams below the first apron have more flexibility, operating under rules similar to the previous CBA. However, even some of these teams are “hard-capped” at the first apron, which limits their payroll to $178 million for the season, adding another layer of complexity to potential trade negotiations, particularly since Butler’s preferred destinations are hard-capped at this level.
Does this make navigating trade scenarios less straightforward? Absolutely. But is a deal still achievable? Definitely.
Let’s delve into possible trade scenarios for Butler.
Golden State Warriors
Tax status: Hard-capped at first apron
Butler would be an intriguing addition to the Warriors, who currently hold a solid position in the Western Conference with a 14–9 record. While he may not be the third superstar they were seeking this offseason, his consistent offensive output and robust defense could address the gaps in the team’s roster around Steph Curry. Although Butler and Draymond Green both have limitations in their long-range shooting, the Warriors, led by Curry, are well-suited to mitigate these issues.
Bringing Butler on board could potentially boost the Warriors’ prospects for securing another NBA championship during Curry’s remaining prime years. However, achieving this would not be straightforward. Golden State would likely need to include players like Jonathan Kuminga or Brandin Podziemski in the trade to balance the financial aspects, despite both being considered off-limits in previous trade discussions. They would also need to hope that Miami would accept De’Anthony Melton’s $9 million salary, despite his season-ending ACL injury.
There are several big “ifs” involved, but when a star player requests a trade and specifies a desired destination, significant moves are often made. If the Warriors are determined to make this deal, they have the resources to do so.
Proposed trade: Andrew Wiggins, De’Anthony Melton, Jonathan Kuminga and Lindy Waters
Dallas Mavericks
Tax status: Hard-capped at first apron
Incorporating Butler into a Mavericks squad that recently reached the NBA Finals and is currently fourth in the Western Conference is a tantalizing prospect. He appears ideally suited to complement Luka Dončić’s play style and alleviate some of the issues that surfaced during the Finals against the Boston Celtics. Butler’s defensive skills at the point of attack would be invaluable, as would his ability to lighten the offensive load carried by Dončić and Kyrie Irving.
However, the Mavericks’ recent acquisitions of Klay Thompson and Naji Marshall were aimed at addressing these very issues, leaving the team with limited trade options. A proposed trade package featuring P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford could
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