2 Unrealistic Jimmy Butler Trades the Heat Need to Consider During the 2024 NBA Offseason

The Miami Heat, coming off a 2022-23 season in which they reached the NBA Finals, couldn’t overcome the major injuries they experienced in the playoffs. Not only was major trade deadline acquisition Terry Rozier III unable to adjust, but the Heat’s best player, Jimmy Butler, also missed the entirety of the Heat’s six-game loss in the first round against the Boston Celtics due to an MCL. sprain, an unfortunate injury he suffered during the 7/8 tournament match.

Although Butler’s injury wasn’t his fault, the Heat star didn’t end the season on the best notes when it came to his relationship with team president Pat Riley. Butler’s comments on social media didn’t sit well with Riley, who urged the Heat to keep their mouths shut since he wasn’t on the court.

The timing of this remark from Riley definitely raised eyebrows. At the end of the 2024-25 season, Jimmy Butler could enter free agency looking for one last big payday. He has a player option worth $52 million for the 2025-26 season, but he will be 36 years old when this campaign begins. If he plays at an All-Star level next year, he could definitely earn another big contract before he retires.

However, even though Butler is reportedly looking to extend his contract, the Heat appear hesitant to put such an offer on the table – and for justifiable reasons. It’s unclear how long Butler can play at a high level. Still, some teams might be willing to spend money on Butler, as he is an established name who performs well in the playoffs.

If Butler and the Heat don’t agree, there could be a chance, however improbable, that the 34-year-old star leaves South Beach this offseason. If that happens, here are some of the best trades the Heat should consider.

Jimmy Butler is sent to the Big Easy

Heat Receiving: Brandon Ingram, Larry Nance Jr., 2025 LAL first-round pick

Pelicans receive: Jimmy Butler

There could be some big changes coming for the New Orleans Pelicans after another disappointing season in which they finished eighth in the Western Conference after appearing to be in the driver’s seat to take fourth place in March. The Pelicans’ season quickly went downhill after Zion Williamson was injured in the play-in game against the Los Angeles Lakers, and they simply couldn’t recover en route to a first-round exit against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Now, Brandon Ingram is in the final year of his contract, and he appears to be on his way out of New Orleans, especially with sharpshooter Trey Murphy up for a huge rookie-scale extension this offseason . Ingram’s name has been widely mentioned in trade rumors, and in this scenario, the Heat could take a chance and bring out an even higher level from the former All-Star as Jimmy Butler’s de facto replacement.

Ingram is nine years younger than Jimmy Butler, and he is 23-6-5 since joining the Pelicans via the Anthony Davis trade. He’ll only be 27 at the start of next season, so he should still have many productive years, making it worth it for the Heat, especially since they’ll receive a potential lottery pick for 2025 in the Los Angeles Lakers first round selection.

For the Pelicans, giving up on Brandon Ingram could be a huge mistake. But if they don’t want to pay him, they might as well get a potentially huge upgrade in Jimmy Butler to bolster their hopes of a deep playoff run for 2025. Butler is a locker room leader who will rally these Pelicans . team and show up for them when it matters most, health permitting.

Rockets land Jimmy Buckets from Heat to help their rebuild take off

Heat Receiving: Dillon Brooks, Jock Landale, Cam Whitmore, Tari Eason, 2024 BKN first-round pick (#3)

The Rockets receive: Jimmy Butler

This return of Jimmy Butler may seem light at first glance. Butler is the heart of a team that threatens to fall out of the Eastern Conference year after year, and trading him for players who don’t even come close to his impact will certainly hurt their chances of competing for the Larry O’ Trophy. Brien in 2025.

But in terms of a forward-looking return, it will be difficult for the Heat to find a trade partner who aims to pull off a win-now trade while also having young talent and capital to pique their interest. The Rockets certainly fit that bill.

This is a team that would have put Jalen Green, along with a few first-round picks, on the table in exchange for Mikal Bridges. Although Bridges is a talented player who will make $25 million less than Butler for next season, he doesn’t move the Rockets team forward as much as Butler would in terms of contending for a playoff spot in the Conference West loaded.

Butler is one of the most powerful players in today’s NBA, as he seems to find a way to leave an imprint of his identity on the teams he plays for. For a Rockets team trying to build a winning culture under head coach Ime Udoka, Butler is as perfect as a superstar as he is as a do-it-all wing who would complement Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green, and Alperen Sengun very good. The huge risk, of course, is that Butler gets older, but that’s a risk the Rockets may just have to take.

For the Heat, they will draft young, athletic players in Cam Whitmore; Despite falling short in the 2023 NBA Draft, Whitmore has shown he can become an All-Star level scorer under the right tutelage. The Heat should have the infrastructure to bring out the best in them. Meanwhile, Tari Eason just feels like he’s destined to play for the Heat.

For good measure, the Heat will also receive Dillon Brooks, one of the best perimeter defenders in the league, as well as the third overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. This year’s draft class may not be not be the best, but they could always sign someone who could be a long-term pro like Donovan Clingan, Matas Buzelis, Reed Sheppard or Stephon Castle to further prepare themselves for a better future.