{"id":114009,"date":"2024-12-26T10:33:51","date_gmt":"2024-12-26T15:33:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=114009"},"modified":"2024-12-26T10:33:51","modified_gmt":"2024-12-26T15:33:51","slug":"miami-heat-butler-trade","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/12\/26\/miami-heat-butler-trade\/","title":{"rendered":"Miami Heat History Makes Potential Butler Trade a Challenge"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">If you look at the top 10 scorers in Miami Heat history, you will notice one similarity <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">between them<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. The Heat rarely trade their big stars. Yes, they have traded away <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/r\/ricegl01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Glen Rice<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> and <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/o\/onealsh01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Shaquille O\u2019Neal<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, but the Heat do not have a history of letting their big-name players leave in a trade. If they do that, they get a decent return. That makes any Miami Heat <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/butleji01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Jimmy Butler<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> trade a big challenge for the franchise.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Miami Heat History Makes Potential Butler Trade a Challenge<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Heat have rarely,\u00a0<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">if<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">ever,<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> had a player request a trade out of town. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">To be fair,<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/12\/25\/jimmy-butler-pushing-trade-heat-shouldnt-resist\/\" target=\"_self\"> Jimmy hasn\u2019t requested a trade<\/a> yet, but <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">reports<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> are that he is ready to move on.<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> Now, with a month and a half until the trade deadline, the Heat <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">have to<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> find a suitable trade partner. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">They might try to do good by Jimmy <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">and send<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> him somewhere he <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">wants<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0and get a decent <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">return back<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> It would be easy to trade him to the Detroit Pistons or Charlotte Hornets, but that is not happening. Butler led them to two Finals appearances and has earned the right to go and play for a championship. Here is a quick look at what the Heat have gotten back for trading previous stars:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Before the 1995 season began, <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">one of the first moves Pat Riley made<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> was to send Glen Rice, the franchise star wing, to Charlotte for center <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/mournal01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Alonzo Mourning<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> The Hornets got five other players, but Rice was the centerpiece.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">In August 2005, they used <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/j\/jonesed02.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Eddie Jones<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> as part of a five-team, 13-player trade to get <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/w\/walkean02.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Antoine Walker<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/w\/willija02.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Jason Williams<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, and <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/p\/poseyja01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">James Posey<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">In February 2008, after previously saying they would not trade Shaq, the Heat sent him to Phoenix for <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/mariosh01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Shawn Marion<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> and <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/banksma01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Marcus Banks<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">As you can see, the Heat never sell their players for a low price. They are not a team like the New Orleans Pelicans or the Brooklyn Nets. So, what should they look for in a trade?<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">What Do the Miami Heat Need in a Butler Trade?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">First, let\u2019s check their standings and position. The <a  href=\"https:\/\/fanspo.com\/nba\/teams\/heat\/16\/draft-picks\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Heat<\/a> owe their first-round pick in 2025 to the Oklahoma City Thunder, protected 1-14. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">If the pick doesn\u2019t convey in 2025, it becomes unprotected in 2026, <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">and that<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> is not a position Miami\u00a0<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">wants<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> to be in.<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> Their <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/contracts\/MIA.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">payroll<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> for the year is at $182 million, <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">a<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">little bit<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> over the luxury tax threshold of $170 million, over the first apron set at $178 million, and below the second apron set at $188.9 million. That means they cannot trade away or receive more money in a trade. Because they are not over the second apron, they can combine <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">the salaries of players<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. Teams mentioned as trade partners are either below the luxury cap (Houston Rockets), over the first apron (Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors), or over the second apron(Phoenix Suns).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">They have two players who are part of their future, <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/a\/adebaba01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Bam Adebayo<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> and <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/herroty01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Tyler Herro<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, and two more players they would be happy to trade away in <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/r\/robindu01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Duncan Robinson<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> and <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/r\/roziete01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Terry Rozier<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. They make over $50 million combined for the next two seasons, so the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/12\/23\/7-under-the-radar-nba-trade-targets\/\" target=\"_self\">Heat<\/a> are better off without Rozier and Robinson. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Now,<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> let\u2019s take a look at the potential options.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Who is the Best Player the Heat Can Get?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">If we look at the teams so far reported as <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/12\/19\/jimmy-butler-trade-destinations\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">trade destinations<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, the Denver Nuggets have the best-established player they can offer, <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/p\/portemi01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Michael Porter Jr.<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> The Warriors, on the other hand, have the best young prospect in <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/k\/kuminjo01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Jonathan Kuminga<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> The difference is Porter is 26 and under contract for the next two and half seasons. Kuminga, on the other hand, is looking to sign a max rookie extension. Without a contract, he is a free agent in the summer. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Yes,<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> he is 22 years old, making him a few years younger than their core.<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> Porter fits the Heat\u2019s timeline better. The question is whether Miami views Kuminga\u2019s potential as higher than Porter\u2019s ceiling.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">In any deal with the Warriors, the Heat would also likely get\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/w\/wiggian01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Andrew Wiggins<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, a wing they can flip for other assets<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, or have him<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> under contract for two more years.<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> They can also try to get another young player from the Warriors, <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">be it<\/span> <a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/p\/podzibr01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Brandin Podziemski<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/moodymo01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Moses Moody<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, or <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/j\/jackstr02.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Trayce Jackson-Davis<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Which Team Has the Best Future Pick?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">This<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> is a tight battle between the Rockets and the Warriors. The Warriors and the Rockets can <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">both<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> offer a first-round pick in 2025 and 2027, but the Rockets also have picks from other teams they can dangle in a trade. Of course, the question here remains:\u00a0<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">how<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> much are the Rockets ready to go all-in on Jimmy? <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">And<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0is he the guy they want to cash their chips for?<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Which Team Can Provide Salary Relief?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">It is another tight battle between the Rockets and the Warriors. The former have the expiring contract of <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/a\/adamsst01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Steven Adams<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/g\/greenje02.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Jeff Green<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, and potentially <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/v\/vanvlfr01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Fred VanVleet<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> (team option for next year). <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Warriors, on the other hand,<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> can offer <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/s\/schrode01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Dennis Schroder<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/p\/paytoga02.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Gary Payton II<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, and <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/l\/looneke01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Kevon Looney<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u2019s expiring.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Where Jimmy Might End Up?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">If we look at everything, the Warriors seem like the most logical destination. They need someone to help <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/c\/curryst01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Steph Curry<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, and they cannot wait on their young players any longer. The Rockets can top any offer, but only if <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">they are<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> willing to enter the sweepstakes. The elephant in the room is <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/j\/jamesle01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">LeBron James<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. It is no secret that the Warriors want to <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/12\/07\/lebron-warriors-trade\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">pair LeBron and Curry<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. While this may seem unlikely to some, the Warriors might be willing to wait longer to see <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">if there is<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> any traction on that front before going all-in for Jimmy. Will the Heat be patient as well? Time will tell.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you look at the top 10 scorers in Miami Heat history, you will notice one similarity between them. The Heat rarely trade their big stars. Yes, they have traded away Glen Rice and Shaquille O\u2019Neal, but the Heat do not have a history of letting their big-name players leave in a trade. If they [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5291,"featured_media":114038,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"1","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1608,20,25,31,16,62,28,4721],"tags":[1010,2803,142,4297,38,1223,48,427,1896],"class_list":["post-114009","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-basketball","category-nuggets","category-warriors","category-rockets","category-heat","category-nba","category-suns","category-trade-rumors","tag-bam-adebayo","tag-duncan-robinson","tag-jimmy-butler","tag-jonathan-kuminga","tag-lebron-james","tag-michael-porter-jr","tag-stephen-curry","tag-terry-rozier","tag-tyler-herro"],"modified_by":"Eamon Cassels, Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/114009","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5291"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=114009"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/114009\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":114039,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/114009\/revisions\/114039"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/114038"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=114009"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=114009"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=114009"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}