5 potential trade destinations for Jimmy Butler

It's all getting a bit messy in Miami.

The Heat are now open for business, letting teams know that they'll listen to trade offers for disgruntled star Jimmy Butler while he serves a seven-game suspension for "multiple instances of conduct detrimental" to the team. The statement is a change of stance from Pat Riley's insistence that the organization wouldn't trade the 35-year-old.

Butler was initially linked with a quintet of preferred teams, but reports now indicate the two-way star and coffee aficionado doesn't care where he's dealt ahead of the Feb. 6 trade deadline. The only thing that reportedly matters is that he's not in South Beach.

Here are five potential destinations for the six-time All-Star, each of which takes into consideration his $48.8-million deal this season and $52.4-million player option (that he's likely to decline) for 2025-26.

Need for Butler (out of 5): ☕☕

Like the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs, the Grizzlies are a wild-card team in pursuit of Butler. But unlike the Thunder and Spurs, the Grizzlies have the contracts to work through the convoluted financial elements of an NBA trade. They're also a non-apron team, meaning they're not hard-capped and can receive more than they ship out in a trade.

The Grizzlies are second in the West and are the only team in the league to rank in the top five in both offensive rating (116.6) and defensive rating (108.3). They're leaning on their depth - they have 12 players who have appeared in at least 18 games this season and are averaging 15 or more minutes - and their roster construction caters well to an in-season trade.

Miami's best realistic return: The contracts of Marcus Smart ($20 million), Brandon Clarke ($12.5 million), and Luke Kennard ($9.3 million) essentially comprise the money of a potential deal, and the Grizzlies have 10 picks across the next three drafts, including four first-round selections.

Need for Butler: ☕☕

The Mavericks are candidates to return to a second successive NBA Finals after the offseason additions of Naji Marshall, Quentin Grimes, and Klay Thompson, plus the stellar play of Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic, the latter of whom is currently injured.

They don't necessarily need a player like Butler to win the title, but recruiting the 35-year-old certainly wouldn't hurt their chances. It would also give them a third bona fide closer for late-game situations and improve their already exemplary defense. The one big drawback here is that Butler's acquisition would almost certainly hinder their depth.

Miami's best realistic return: Boating enthusiast Thompson ($15.9 million) could again find a coastal suitor, while Daniel Gafford ($13.4 million), P.J. Washington ($15.5 million), and Maxi Kleber ($11 million) could all help boost Miami's frontcourt. The Mavs also have both of their first-round picks in the next two drafts.

Need for Butler: ☕☕

Despite a respectable 19-13 record and a spot in the Western Conference's top six, the Nuggets are an inferior facsimile of the side that won the 2023 NBA title. Chalk that up to a depleted bench, the play of Jamal Murray, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope's exit, among other factors.

Nikola Jokic continues to single-handedly will this team to victory, and general manager Calvin Booth may feel it's time for a change. Michael Porter Jr., who's averaging 18.8 points while shooting 41.9% from deep and posting a career-high 61.4% effective field goal percentage, would likely be included in a swap. What the Nuggets would lose in Porter's 3-point exploits, they would gain in Butler's off-ball work and cutting on the offensive end - the perfect complement to Jokic's skill set.

Miami's best realistic return: From a salary-matching and talent perspective, Porter ($35.9 million) makes a lot of sense for the Heat. But such a deal would come at a cost for the Nuggets, as he's among their most consistent players this season. Denver also owns its first-round picks in the 2026, 2028, 2030, and 2031 drafts and could include Dario Saric ($5.2 million) in a deal.

Need for Butler: ☕☕☕☕

While a report claimed that the Rockets were unlikely to pursue Houston-born Butler, Ime Udoka and Co. sit third in the West and could look to the veteran to help them get over the hump. The franchise is eyeing its first playoff berth since 2019-20.

The Rockets have the necessary assets to swing a move for Butler without giving up too much of their current core, and there were rumors in the summer that they were interested in trading for Kevin Durant, suggesting they're willing to accelerate a meticulous development that's guided by savvy draft picks like Alperen Sengun.

Miami's best realistic return: Matching up money is no easy task here, but the Heat could be intrigued by a package that includes Jabari Smith Jr. ($9.8 million) and veteran pieces like Dillon Brooks ($22.3 million), Steven Adams ($12.6 million), or Jeff Green ($8 million). Cam Whitmore ($3.4 million) could also be a useful developmental option for the Heat, while the Rockets own some valuable draft picks and swaps over the next few years.

Need for Butler: ☕☕☕☕☕

The Warriors are desperate to compete for another title during Steph Curry's waning prime, and Steve Kerr's squad is abysmal without the superstar on the floor after an underwhelming offseason.

Following a failed summer move for Lauri Markkanen, Golden State has been linked with Zach LaVine, Brandon Ingram, and Butler as the organization strives to add a second legitimate star to the roster. The acquisition of Butler would suit the Warriors' culture and provide the team with a defensive stopgap. Furthermore, assuming Butler declines his option for next season, general manager Mike Dunleavy could sign him to a deal that would cement him as the core of a veteran trio alongside Curry and Draymond Green through 2027.

Miami's best realistic return: Jonathan Kuminga ($7.6 million) is probably the most alluring player on the Warriors' roster from the Heat's perspective, and it's likely that Dunleavy will need to table an offer that includes the young forward plus some combination of Andrew Wiggins ($26 million), Gary Payton II ($9.1 million), Brandin Podziemski ($3.5 million), and picks.