Over the last few years, NBA fans have seen numerous blockbuster trades go down that impact the standing of different teams in the league. Just five years ago, the Los Angeles Lakers acquired Anthony Davis from the New Orleans Pelicans in a massive trade. The next season, they won a championship. The year before, the Toronto Raptors landed Kawhi Leonard from the San Antonio Spurs. In his only year with the Raptors, Leonard led them to a championship. And just a week ago, the New York Knicks traded for Minnesota Timberwolves big man Karl-Anthony Towns. Though, we have yet to see how this trade will pan out for both sides. In the meantime, NBA fans are debating who the next major player to be involved in a blockbuster trade will be. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, there are two big names that have been thrown around.
NBA Insider Names Jimmy Butler and Giannis Antetokounmpo As Candidates for Next Blockbuster Trade
In a recent post for The Stein Line (subscription required), Stein brought up Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat and Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks as candidates for the next blockbuster NBA trade.
“Cruel or not, Riley left little doubt in the spring that Butler’s availability had become an issue for the Heat. Butler, meanwhile, insisted at Media Day that he accepts Riley’s reluctance to offer him the extension, saying: “I guess I’ve got to go and hoop. I’ve got to prove that I am a major part of winning and rightfully so. I’ve done it before. This is no different. … That will take care of itself.”
“The whole saga has led a variety of executives with other teams, when asked by pesky me, to offer up Butler as a name that must be monitored in the inevitable quest for teams (and reporters) to pinpoint the league’s next marquee player to be dealt in the wake of the Karl-Anthony Towns-to-New York swap.”
“Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo also gets mentioned, of course, but that frankly sounds more like wishful thinking from teams hoping — as teams have in the past — that the Bucks unravel to the point that the two-time MVP eventually decides to force his way out.”
Stein did mention that a potential Antetokounmpo trade is “more like wishful thinking” from other teams. However, it is interesting that Stein mentioned the former NBA champion anyway. Last year, Antetokounmpo signed a contract extension that will run through the 2027-28 season. Additionally, the soon-to-be 30-year-old has a lot left in the tank. It seems far more likely that Butler will be on the move than Antetokounmpo. This is especially true following Stein’s report.
The Heat star has two years remaining on his three-year, $48.8 million contract. There is, however, a $52.4 million player option for the 2025-26 campaign. Reports have indicated that, while Butler wants a new contract to stay in Miami, president Pat Riley is hesitant to give him a new deal. Butler recently turned 35 and is coming off a season-ending knee injury. For now, Butler is entering a potential contract year. At this point, Butler’s long-term future in Miami is completely up in the air.
