The Miami Heat have been one of the most consistent franchises in the NBA. Behind the strong coaching of Erik Spoelstra, the team always seems to be competitive in the Eastern Conference. A big reason for their success recently has been the play of Jimmy Butler. He has led the team on deep playoff runs. Most notably, he helped the Heat upset the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks with an unreal series performance. However, things have soured this season. There were rumors that the Heat might move on from their star, but nothing was confirmed. Things have changed. According to a recent report, Miami is actively listening to offers for Butler.
Miami Heat Looking To Move Jimmy Butler?
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported today that the six-time all-star may be on the move before the trade deadline. The agent of Jimmy Butler had been telling teams to make offers, with three teams being high on his list. Butler is looking to head to the Western Conference with the Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, and Dallas Mavericks being atop his wish list. Spoelstra addressed the rumors after Tuesday’s practice and did his best to not fuel the fire.
“It’s been our best, most consistent stretch of the season. So anything else, any other narrative, I don’t care. Nobody should, because most of this stuff has just been all like a bunch of gibberish.”
This isn’t a surprising comment from the coach, but at this point, it would be prudent for the Miami Heat to listen to offers. Butler is 35 years old and has a $52 million player option next year. He has publicly said he is planning on declining the option to test free agency. It’s unlikely the Heat would want to sign an aging superstar for a long-term deal. They should get some value back for him instead of losing him for nothing.
Emergence Of Tyler Herro
One of the reasons the Miami Heat should be considering a trade would be the emergence of Tyler Herro. The young star is averaging career highs across the board. His 24.2 points, 5.0 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per game are all the best of his six-year career. Amazingly, he is only 25 years old making him the perfect player to build around for the future. Between him and 27-year-old Bam Adebayo, the Heat has a core around which to build.
This is what makes a trade even more advantageous for Miami. If they are able to get a few more picks and/or young players, they could help propel this team back into contention in the Eastern Conference. Spoelstra has shown he can make a team better than they are on paper. Herro and Adebayo have already been huge pieces in championship teams. It looks like a golden opportunity.
Final Thoughts
The NBA trade deadline is always full of drama. No other sport can top the number of players on the move midseason. We’ve seen championships won and lost by deals at the trade deadline. Jimmy Butler could be the last piece of a championship team. The deadline is two months away, and this will be a situation that needs to be watched closely.
