As he prepares for his sixth season with the Miami Heat, Jimmy Butler‘s future remains unknown. He has two years remaining on his contract. This includes a $52.4 million player option for the 2025-26 season. By that point, he will be 36 years old. Currently, a contract extension does not seem likely. However, on the flip side, Heat president Pat Riley seemingly has zero interest in trading the six-time All-Star. However, as he approaches a potential contract year, Butler is still the subject of many trade rumors. One of the teams reportedly interested in him? The Golden State Warriors.
According to NBA insider Sam Amick, the Warriors have interest in acquiring Butler. Additionally, per Amick, the team “probably made a couple calls” to check in on Butler and his availability (Spotify link).
“Jimmy Butler’s going to be a free agent next summer. Didn’t get an extension done. The Warriors have interest there, and probably made a couple calls [to Miami] this summer,” Amick said.
The Heat star is coming off a season-ending knee injury that forced him to miss the entire first round of the playoffs against the eventual champions, the Boston Celtics. On the year, the Marquette alum averaged 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal per game. Additionally, he shot 49.9% from the field and 41.4% from beyond the arc.
Western Conference Team “Probably” Inquired About Jimmy Butler
Jimmy Butler Could Be an Obvious Fit for the Golden State Warriors
This summer, the Warriors lost four-time champion Klay Thompson to the Dallas Mavericks. They acquired sharpshooter Buddy Hield, who could be a solid replacement for him. However, the Warriors’ championship window is nearly closed if it is not already. For the team to capitalize on their final years with Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and head coach Steve Kerr, it is important to add another top-tier player to the roster if possible. Butler, who would fit Golden State’s timeline, could be the exact player they need. He is a phenomenal two-way player who just led his team to the NBA Finals in 2023. If they can make a trade work, the Warriors would be smart to acquire Butler from Miami.
Furthermore, we know the Warriors had interest in adding another star in new Philadelphia 76ers star Paul George this summer. And according to George himself, he was close to joining the Warriors.
“That was a real thing that was close to being done. That deal was close to being done from what I was being told on the situation, they was expressing just how much they wanted me there, how I could have fit in perfectly with Draymond [Green], Steph [Curry]. Klay [Thompson] probably would’ve stayed. [Brandin] Podziemski, [Jonathan] Kuminga, [Andrew] Wiggins. They didn’t know how or what package was going to be there to trade for me…[Kevon] Looney was going to be there and so it was very intriguing and it was still an opportunity to stay close to home, stay on the West Coast, and it was a win-win,” George said.
Jimmy Butler Wants to Stay in Miami
Regardless of rumors, Butler has made it clear he wants to go nowhere. In a May interview with GQ Sports, the Texas native said he feels “at home” in Miami and wants to win a championship for the city.
“I feel at home, man. I really care about the city, I really care about the people in this city. Miami has embraced me. They’ve wanted me to bring them something they haven’t done since LeBron, D-Wade and C-Bosh. And I want to do that. So as soon as I get this knee back right, I’m right back on they a** and everybody know it,” Butler said.
For now, he remains a member of the Heat. However, by this time next year, Butler may have himself a new home somewhere else.
