The Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks are among the several NBA teams with playoff expectations that are currently interested in trading for Miami Heat star forward Jimmy Butler.
NBA Trade Rumors: Miami Heat’s Jimmy Butler Is A Top Target For The Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks
According to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, there has been “quiet discourse” in “league circles” about either Houston or Dallas landing Butler. The Brooklyn Nets were mentioned earlier in the season, but he’s “not viewed as a fit” for a rebuilding Brooklyn team, per Scotto.
Butler can hit unrestricted free agency in 2025 if he declines his $52.4 million player option for the 2025-26 season. In June, Shams Charania reported for The Athletic at the time that the forward didn’t plan on signing an extension with Miami or any other team before his opt-out window.
That could still change in the months ahead, since nothing is set in stone.
“For now, however, the Rockets are among the top teams with a young core, and the Mavericks remain a contender in the tightly competitive Western Conference,” Scotto wrote. “It’s also worth noting executives who’ve checked in on Butler got the impression that Miami wants to figure out their star’s future after the season.”
Golden State Warriors Still Want Butler?
If Butler is on the trade block, one other team could be joining the Rockets and Mavericks in expressing interest in the six-time All-Star. Sam Amick of The Athletic reported recently that the Golden State Warriors “probably made a couple calls” to the Heat over the summer to “test the waters” regarding a potential swap.
During the offseason, Klay Thompson left Golden State and signed a three-year, $50 million deal with the Mavericks, ending his historic 13-year run with the four-time NBA champs.
Without their veteran sharpshooter, the Warriors have gone 12-8 and rank No. 6 overall in the Western Conference. Miami currently sits at 10-10 through 18 games, but at least it holds the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference.
The Heat could decide to move on from Butler if this year becomes unsalvageable, but the team is just a quarter of the way through. A .500 record is hardly horrible, so it could be a wise decision to let this season play out.
Miami started 11-9 in its first 20 games last season and went on to finish 46-36 and eighth in the East. Then again, the team is trying to win a championship, not settle for mediocrity. This could be the right time to blow it all up.
