Following the Miami Heat’s first-round playoff loss to the Boston Celtics, all eyes are set on their offseason plans this summer. Early on, reports have suggested the team could trade franchise player Jimmy Butler. This is due to his reported contract aspirations and injury that kept him out of the playoffs. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst recently suggested a return to the Philadelphia 76ers is on the table for both sides. However, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, a reunion seems unlikely.
The Miami Heat are unlikely to be interested in Philadelphia’s assets in a potential trade for Jimmy Butler, despite Philadelphia being able to offer up to three first-round picks and three first-round pick swaps, per @flasportsbuzz
“Even if the 76ers offered their three… pic.twitter.com/ippOW2692I
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 8, 2024
The 76ers are expected to have the second-highest cap space total this offseason. After the 76ers also exited the playoffs in the first round, changes are likely coming in Philadelphia.
Miami Heat Reporter Gives Update on Possible Blockbuster Trade
Pat Riley Has No Intentions of Trading Jimmy Butler
In his exit interview earlier this week, Heat president Pat Riley talked about not wanting to trade Butler away.
Pat Riley when asked if he would consider trading Jimmy Butler.
“No.”
— Wes Goldberg (@wcgoldberg) May 6, 2024
Furthermore, Butler himself has recently talked about wanting to stay in Miami.
“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 ass and everybody know it.”
Butler has spent the last five seasons of his career with the Heat. In that time, he has averaged 21.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game. Additionally, he has led the team to three Eastern Conference Finals appearances, clenching two NBA Finals appearances along the way. Despite being 34, the Houston native appears to want to be a part of the Heat’s plans for a long time. However, he has just one year left on his contract before he needs to make a decision on his player option for the 2025-26 season.
Miami Could Still Trade Jimmy Butler
Despite Butler’s and Riley’s recent comments, nothing is official yet. While it seems increasingly unlikely, Miami moving on from Butler is still an option. Furthermore, NBA insider Zach Lowe said Riley’s response to Butler’s recent comments “opened a lot of eyes around the NBA.”
Pat Riley’s recent comments on Jimmy Butler reportedly ‘opened a lot of eyes around the NBA,’ per @ZachLowe_NBA
“He could have said that a little bit more politely. Like even if you’re tongue-in-cheek, you could have been like, you know, I just wish he wouldn’t have said… pic.twitter.com/vcU7GL8Vf2
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 8, 2024
After the team’s disappointing season, it will be worth monitoring what they do in the offseason.
