According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, the Miami Heat have significantly lowered their demands for trading All-Star forward Jimmy Butler, signaling a high likelihood that he will be dealt before the February 6 trade deadline.
Initially steadfast in their trade conditions, the Heat have softened their stance, creating new opportunities for potential suitors beyond early frontrunners like the Phoenix Suns.
The situation escalated this past Monday when Miami suspended Butler for a third time this season following an incident in which he walked out of the team’s shootaround. With the indefinite suspension lasting at least through the trade deadline, tension between the Heat and Butler has reached a boiling point.
“Jimmy Butler is going to get traded,” Windhorst declared unequivocally. “I really am more sure than ever that’s going to happen. The Heat are really trying to make that happen.”
Initially, Miami insisted on offloading Butler without taking on any salary commitments for the 2025-26 season. However, in a significant shift, they are now only holding firm on salary concerns for the 2026-27 season.
This adjustment, according to Windhorst, has made the trade discussions more accessible for a broader range of NBA teams.
“They have backed down on their asks to teams that they had two or three weeks ago when this whole saga really started,” Windhorst explained. “They’re willing to do more.”
As Butler’s trade value dips, Windhorst anticipates more franchises entering the bidding war. Initially, Butler’s desired destinations included marquee teams such as the Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, and Dallas Mavericks, in addition to Phoenix.
Now, however, new possibilities are emerging as teams looking for a game-changing addition begin eyeing Butler as an affordable option.
“I think more teams are going to wade in here because the price on Butler is going to be lower than just the Phoenix Suns, which is the way it’s been,” Windhorst noted.
The strained relationship between Butler and the Heat has likely contributed to this shift in trade dynamics. The discord, described as uniquely dramatic by Windhorst, has played a pivotal role in forcing Miami’s hand.
“There’s really a chance that there’s a team out there that might be able to pick up a difference-making player for relatively cheap in this next week,” he said, highlighting the opportunity for franchises currently stuck in mediocrity.
Windhorst suggested that the teams most likely to make a move are not championship frontrunners but those desperately seeking a turnaround: “I don’t think any of the top teams are going to get him. I think you’re looking at teams that are in the middle of the pack – older teams that need a Hail Mary right now.”
Jimmy Butler Likely To Be Traded By Deadline As Heat Reduce Asking Price https://t.co/LurHGQHvuq
— RealGM (@RealGM) January 28, 2025
