Jimmy Butler’s time in a Miami Heat uniform might be coming to an end.
The veteran forward is currently in his sixth season with Miami but could find himself finishing out the season with a Western Conference team.
Miami will have to make a decision on trading him at the trade deadline or risk losing him for nothing in return in free agency in the summer. Also, a team acquiring Butler and giving up assets in a trade needs to be fairly sure Butler will re-sign.
If Butler is not traded by the Miami Heat before the trade deadline, he will have the ability to leave as a free agent after the season. Butler does have a player option and could also decide to stay with the Heat for the $52.4 million in 2025-26.
Here’s the latest on Butler and the Heat:
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Could Jimmy Butler be traded to the Phoenix Suns?
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Butler’s agent Bernie Lee has made it known that the star player would be interested in playing for the Phoenix Suns among other teams.
The Suns might be a difficult place for Butler to land considering the the team’s salary cap situation.
Kevin Durant and Devin Booker are the featured players on the roster and are unlikely to be traded.
The Suns are currently considered as a second-apron team, according to Spotrac. The second apron is a financial threshold that teams must adhere to in the league’s collective bargaining agreement. The rule limits a team’s ability to spend money and make decisions.
Shooting guard Bradley Beal is also on the Suns’ roster, but it remains unclear if the Heat would be interested in acquiring him in return.
Beal signed a five-year deal worth $251 million with the Washington Wizards on July 6, 2022 before he was traded to the Suns in June 2023. He has a player option for the 2026-27 season.
What are other potential landing spots for Jimmy Butler?
The Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets and the Dallas Mavericks are tabbed as other teams Butler would have an interest in playing for, according to Charania.
How has Jimmy Butler played this season?
Butler has played in 17 of the Heat’s 22 games this season, averaging 19 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game.
How many teams has Jimmy Butler played for?
Jimmy Butler played for the Chicago Bulls, the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Philadelphia 76ers before joining the Miami Heat.
Jeff Zillgitt contributed to this article