Chagrined by the Miami Heat’s reluctance to offer him a max contract extension, five-time All-NBA selection Jimmy Butler will become a free agent in 2025. In what’s now a contract year for the star forward, teams can expect him to play as hard as ever. However, while Butler auditions for what could be his next team, there’s been little discussion about his potential suitors.
With that being said, it’s never too early to think about next year. Here are the two teams who may have the best shot at signing Butler.
Will Jimmy Butler Sign With West Playoff Contender in 2025?
Houston Rockets
With $110.6 million in projected cap space next offseason, the Houston Rockets could be big spenders for another summer. The last time they had deep pockets, they signed Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks to rich contracts. In 2025, it could be Butler.
Butler was raised just outside of Houston, in little known Tomball. After a decade of stardom, the 34-year-old may have outgrown small city living. Nonetheless, the chance to play close to home has appeared to many a player. Besides, Texas may not have the weather of South Florida, but Houston is one of the most enchanting metropolises in the country.
That may draw Butler’s attention enough for him to envision living outside of Miami. However, if the Rockets want him to consider leaving the Heat to play for them, their culture and competitiveness will be the biggest determinants. In terms of the former, Butler and Rockets head coach Ime Udoka are two peas in a pod. Their fiery styles can rub some people the wrong way, but their desire to win is undeniable. In fact, pushing those buttons helps their teams extend their boundaries.
If signed outright by the Rockets, they’d have to renounce the rights to several free agents and decline all of their club options to free up the maximum amount of cap space. They don’t need the whole pie to feed Butler though, just $50-60 million worth. They can free up much of that by declining the team options of VanVleet ($44.9 million) and AJ Griffin ($6 million). If that’s not enough, they could also waive Jock Landale’s non-guaranteed $8 million salary.
Joining him on the roster would be Brooks, Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard, Cam Whitmore, Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, and Aaron Holiday. With a bevy of high quality on-ball defenders they increase their chances of making deep playoff runs in and of itself. From there, the Rockets can re-sign restricted free agent Alperen Sengun, who still figures to be their most consistent scorer.
Jalen Green is likely the odd man out. Still, as he’ll be a restricted free agent, the Rockets may be able to move him for additional assets.
LA Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are projected to have $22.5 million in cap space next offseason. Yet, they can free up as much as $62.5 million by declining their team options and rebounding the rights to their free agents.
In signing Butler, it comes down to an order of operations; James Harden has to decline his $36.4 million option before they can. Without proper communication and trust, this is where the deal could fall apart. If the Clippers target Butler, it’s likely that the front office will let Harden know. Butler could also intimate to Harden that he wants to join forces or vice-versa.
If Butler lands with the Clippers, it’ll feel a lot like Paul George was back, for better or worse. Butler, like George, is an elite two-way player. He’d help fortify their defensive identity while making his presence felt on the scoreboard. However, his injury concerns could leave L.A. in a poor position during the postseason. As a result, the Clippers may not want to pay him any more than George.
Their flexibility in a contract negotiation with Butler could come down to how they look without George this season though. Especially as Kawhi Leonard continues to be hobbled by chronic knee pain. If Los Angeles looks like a shell of itself, Steve Ballmer and Co. may be willing to shell out more bucks just to stay competitive.
