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Operating under these assumptions:

- Jimmy probably is either not going to report for a tanking team in a long rebuild, or he's going to raise hell. For this exercise, I'm leaving out Charlotte, Washington, Utah, Toronto, Brooklyn. NOLA has no chance this season either, but there's talent on the team and could do well next year, so I'll leave them in the running.

- Miami doesn't want to take back large, bad contracts past 2026 (according to fans here). they may take a rebuild offer, they may take vets and try to carry on, but Jimmy isn't being traded for zero value.

so here goes:
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Atlanta:

any combo of Hunter/Capela/Bogdan, filler, 1st pick. Gives Miami productive players to work with, some upside. Atlanta is right in the middle, can't rebuild with all their picks going to SAS, so why not go for it. Plenty of moveable salary and nowhere near the second apron. Decent option.

Boston:

over the second apron, can't aggregate, and no way Jaylen Brown is on the table. Doubtful the Celtics want to change anything anyway. No chance.

Brooklyn:

Jimmy isn't going to a rebuild. Doubtful Brooklyn's long-term plans involve a 36-37 yo Butler after their last two attempts at building super old super teams. Not really an option.

Charlotte:

sucks a lot. Jimmy isn't reporting to Charlotte, but Charlotte definitely has a lot of expirings and MLE-sized contracted role players to use to facilitate a deal as a 3rd team. But not a Jimmy destination.

Chicago:

a reunion could be interesting. Chicago can match salary with Lonzo+Vuc (or with LaVine) and distant picks either of their own or Portland. Is it enough for the Bulls to be relevant? Probably not. Are the Heat going to want LaVine? Probably not. Not a great option, but not impossible.

Cleveland:

This is a cool one, but requires Cleveland completely hollowing out their bench, as I can't see any of Garland/Mitchell/Allen/Mobley being moved in the middle of this insane run. Levert/Strus/Okoro, and a bench warmer would work financially, but CLE owns none of their own picks or swaps till 2030. I don't see CLE shaking things up while they're on pace for 65+ wins, and leaving themselves with a near D-League bench, but it's a cool idea to consider if Miami finds value in any of what they have to offer.

Dallas:

The Mavs are constrained by the 1st apron and they can pretty much taste it right now, making it hard to fill out a roster after trading a combo of anyone that isn't Luka/Kyrie/PJ/Lively (they'll realistically have to send out $60M so they have space enough to get back to 14 players). I really wanted to work something out here with Klay, Gafford and others, but we're likely looking a 5 or 6 to 1 trade, after which their entire bench is nobodies. Unlikely but not impossible.

Denver:

I can't see Miami trying to get either Murray or MPJ as the centerpiece of a Jimmy trade. Porter probably more likely than Jamal, but Denver doesn't own picks to balance out anything, and Nnaji might be a deal breaker too, without a third team. There's probably nothing here.

Detroit:

Finances definitely aren't the problem here, Detroit has oodles of cap space, plenty of filler contracts to move around. Detroit's having a shocking season but I don't see Butler being very interested, or Detroit willing to put any of their young pieces on the table at this time. Likely not.

Golden State:

The org might stick to their guns expecting Kuminga and whoever to be part of their next dynasty, but I like Jimmy's fit in Golden State. Salary matching almost definitely requires 4-5 players unless Wiggins is rerouted to another team, so this will definitely be tricky, but it's possible with something like Kuminga+Schroeder+Payton+Anderson+Hield. I could see it happening, not a top option though.

Houston:

This may be the best option, given Houston's wealth of decent prospects, mid value picks, and supersized expiring in FVV. I don't know how Butler feels about leading a crew of early 20s players, it's working so far as Houston is the 4th best team in the league by record so far. I like this one. Don't know which prospect/pick(s) are being sent to Houston, there are many options, but I could see a deal happening here.

Indiana:

They kinda did this last year buying cheap-ish on Siakam, so as a result, not a lot of tradeable salaries left over. I cannot see Miami being interested in Toppin's long-term salary, McConnell is trade restricted, and Mathurin overlaps spectacularly with Herro+Rozier in a backcourt already too crowded with his skillset. I can't see anything possible here unless several teams are involved.

Clippers:

Any trade would have to either involve Powell (who feels unnecessary on Miami), or be a 6+ for 1 trade involving their entire bench plus a very distant pick or two. Tucker+Mann+DJJ+Dunn+Bones+Coffey+distant picks works in theory, but will involve a few teams for roster spots. It's workable if they're interested. Mann probably reroutes elsewhere.

Lakers:

There's definitely a combo of Reaves/picks/Rui/Vando/Vincent/Christie that works financially, but leaves LAL super shallow, and saddles Miami with contracts they aren't likely to want. It's a maybe at best.

Memphis:

Really like the fit for Jimmy here, with a combo of Smart/Clarke/Kennard/+ picks or young players going out. Probably requires a third team here, but definitely feasible if the sides can find the right compensation and/or 3rd teams to eat contracts.

Miami:

Already has Jimmy. It's going great.

Milwaukee:

Requires about $55M in outgoing salaries PLUS whatever they'll need to fill out their roster after trading multiple players, in order to duck the 2nd apron. It's close to impossible, but with some penny pinching at the end of the roster, Middleton, Portis, Connaughton, Beauchamp, pick? for Butler does appear to work. I think all sides should consider this.

Minnesota:

it's a completely different team since the last time Jimmy was there but it would be hilarious to see a forced reunion. Unfortunately it's completely impossible unless Minnesota is able to cobble together nearly $70M in salaries and completely get under the 2nd apron. Don't count on it.

New Orleans:

Honestly, I think it's pretty likely Jimmy just sits the season rather than play for a 9-32 team, and his offensive fit with Murray and Zion is questionable, but I would advocate both sides think about an Ingram/Butler swap and then evaluate in the offseason... if Butler shows any willingness at all to play for the Pels. Pels would have to send a bench player or two to match, but it's simple enough. I'll concede that this is very very unlikely though.

New York:

Don't get your hopes up, the Knicks are like a nickel under the 2nd apron, and unless the Knicks are ready to part with OG (who I think the Heat would never take due to contract), there just aren't enough moveable contracts without blowing up a 26-15 team. This is a no.

OKC:

The idea in principle is cool, to have Jimmy as the leader for a 33-6 team led by a bench of mid-20s players, but OKC is likely holding their Hartenstein trade chip and their giant stash of picks for bigger moves than this. In theory, Hartenstein+Dort could be an interesting move though.

Orlando:

Could be an interesting one with Isaac+Mo Wagner+Harris as the filler salaries, attached with a prospect like Black or pick(s). Miami's interest lies solely in the rebuilding piece involved. Doable.

Philly:

Honestly, unless there's bad blood between Jimmy and Embiid, why not just throw Oubre, Martin, other Martin, Drummond, Gordon, Lowry at 5 different teams and- never mind we're still $20M short. Not possible.

Phoenix:

Sounds like this is Jimmy's favorite destination, but Beal + compensation for Butler is the only way. Ducking below the 2nd apron is nowhere near a possibility. I just do not expect Miami to touch Beal's contract with a 2000-mile pole. If Phoenix manages some other move sending Beal elsewhere that he agrees to, then they may reroute some pieces Miami's way, but as of now, I'd say little to no chance Jimmy ends up here.

Portland:

no chance. I don't feel like I need to elaborate.

Sacramento:

The offensive fit with Fox+Sabonis is just straight up bad imo. DeRozan+Huerter has its merit I guess. But you still wind up with the same problems I have with DDR in the Kings offense. Is Miami cool with swapping Jimmy with DDR? I'm talking myself into this one a bit, but I don't love it.

Spurs:

Love this as a Jimmy destination. No shortage of meh two-year contracts to move around between Johnson, Barnes, Collins, and no shortage of picks for the future. Pull the trigger and let's see CP3/Vassell/Butler/Sochan/Wemby in the playoffs! This has potential.

Toronto:

Jimmy might retire.

Utah:

Jimmy WILL retire.

Washington:

Jimmy might kill Pat Riley.

Any of these three could act as facilitators though for sure.

HornetJail wrote:Toronto:

Jimmy might retire.

Utah:

Jimmy WILL retire.

Washington:

Jimmy might kill Pat Riley.

Any of these three could act as facilitators though for sure.

I don't agree 100% with this, but this is a great compilation OP. Nice work.

HornetJail wrote:
Golden State:

The org might stick to their guns expecting Kuminga and whoever to be part of their next dynasty, but I like Jimmy's fit in Golden State. Salary matching almost definitely requires 4-5 players unless Wiggins is rerouted to another team, so this will definitely be tricky, but it's possible with something like Kuminga+Schroeder+Payton+Anderson+Hield. I could see it happening, not a top option though.

The Warriors are reportedly out.

Jimmy at his age, cost, health and drama is just not worth the punt for Golden State. You have to give up a lot just to even match salary, and he's not the player he once was. He hasn't played more than 60 games in a season for several years now, and his slow style of play doesn't match what the Warriors do.

It was a bad idea from the start, it's a worse idea now. The time to trade for Jimmy was about the time that tye Heat acquired him, years and years ago.

I think the problem with Dallas is less the apron/making of a trade and more the Venetian not being willing to give Jimmy his 2 year extension and live over the second apron. Or wanting to risk the chemistry or anything like that.

If Jimmy was actually just wanting to play out his contract and try and win a championship and then see what happens, I’d hope Dallas makes a real offer and deals with the depth after.

HornetJail wrote:Operating under these assumptions:

- Jimmy probably is either not going to report for a tanking team in a long rebuild, or he's going to raise hell. For this exercise, I'm leaving out Charlotte, Washington, Utah, Toronto, Brooklyn. NOLA has no chance this season either, but there's talent on the team and could do well next year, so I'll leave them in the running.

- Miami doesn't want to take back large, bad contracts past 2026 (according to fans here). they may take a rebuild offer, they may take vets and try to carry on, but Jimmy isn't being traded for zero value.

so here goes:
---------------------------------------------------


New York:

Don't get your hopes up, the Knicks are like a nickel under the 2nd apron, and unless the Knicks are ready to part with OG (who I think the Heat would never take due to contract), there just aren't enough moveable contracts without blowing up a 26-15 team. This is a no.

I don't think New York is likely, but if OG was willing to waive his TK, I think OG+Mitch would be a strong package for Riley to get back. He is in the business of winning and OG might A) weclome an expanded role (right now I think he is not happy that he's the fourth banana in NY) and the state tax that will let him keep a LOT more of his money.

As a Knicks fan I would not WANT this because Jimmy is getting older, obviously wants an extension (and not a team-friendly one) and wants a more pivotal role in the offense. Just seems like a great way to destroy the drip of chemistry this team has left.

HornetJail wrote:Utah:

Jimmy WILL retire.

As long as the Jazz don't give up more than Collins + Sexton, Jimmy retiring would absolutely not be a deterrent.

HornetJail wrote:
Miami:

Already has Jimmy. It's going great.

This made me lol! Thanks for that!

I don't agree with all of it, not I certainly enjoyed the read

BBallFreak wrote:

HornetJail wrote:
Miami:

Already has Jimmy. It's going great.

This made me lol! Thanks for that!

I don't agree with all of it, not I certainly enjoyed the read

I went right past that. Hilarious!

Bucks make the most sense

slos wrote:Bucks make the most sense

They make a lot of sense, but to me, Memphis makes more sense. Of course, Jimmy doesn't want Memphis...

HornetJail wrote:Minnesota:

it's a completely different team since the last time Jimmy was there but it would be hilarious to see a forced reunion

Not a different fanbase. Ask me later about a different owner.

(Nice piece of work, HJ!)

jayjaysee wrote:I think the problem with Dallas is less the apron/making of a trade and more the Venetian not being willing to give Jimmy his 2 year extension and live over the second apron. Or wanting to risk the chemistry or anything like that.

If Jimmy was actually just wanting to play out his contract and try and win a championship and then see what happens, I’d hope Dallas makes a real offer and deals with the depth after.

I still think a possible scenario is a team wink wink agrees that he opts out this summer and they replace that year with a 2 year deal starting at a slightly lower, but still massive number. Not what Jimmy wants but securing another $40M or more on top of what his option is for next year might be the best he can get.

And if he comes to terms with that, then maybe Vegas is okay with that 2 year window and Dallas should bid. Problem is if he's willing to do that another team can and should make a more attractive offer.

Texas Chuck wrote:

jayjaysee wrote:I think the problem with Dallas is less the apron/making of a trade and more the Venetian not being willing to give Jimmy his 2 year extension and live over the second apron. Or wanting to risk the chemistry or anything like that.

If Jimmy was actually just wanting to play out his contract and try and win a championship and then see what happens, I’d hope Dallas makes a real offer and deals with the depth after.

I still think a possible scenario is a team wink wink agrees that he opts out this summer and they replace that year with a 2 year deal starting at a slightly lower, but still massive number. Not what Jimmy wants but securing another $40M or more on top of what his option is for next year might be the best he can get.

And if he comes to terms with that, then maybe Vegas is okay with that 2 year window and Dallas should bid. Problem is if he's willing to do that another team can and should make a more attractive offer.

IDK, I think that most competitive teams would be weary adding him on a longer contract knowing how he gets when he is not the center of attention.

slos wrote:Bucks make the most sense

Can they aggregate salary?

Phoenix may not be able to trade Beal for Jimmy but Booker for Jimmy + pick/pick swaps, plus maybe a side deal or two for the likes of Jovic and Jaques might be possible. It's not ideal for the Heat but it's a talent upgrade for the Heat, though a fit issue with Herro and Rozier. To do it though, Suns have to believe Beal will actually play basketball rather than just sit on the bench in a suit getting paid.

NYG wrote:

slos wrote:Bucks make the most sense

Can they aggregate salary?

the resulting trade would have to drop them below the 2nd apron. meaning they'll have to send out about $55M to do it

HornetJail wrote:

NYG wrote:

slos wrote:Bucks make the most sense

Can they aggregate salary?

the resulting trade would have to drop them below the 2nd apron. meaning they'll have to send out about $55M to do it

How could they do that and still fill out their roster?

NYG wrote:

HornetJail wrote:

NYG wrote:
Can they aggregate salary?

the resulting trade would have to drop them below the 2nd apron. meaning they'll have to send out about $55M to do it

How could they do that and still fill out their roster?

It’s easy to make a legal trade work with Milwaukee.

Whether they do it or Miami accepts it is the discussion I guess. But is legal.

jayjaysee wrote:

NYG wrote:

HornetJail wrote:the resulting trade would have to drop them below the 2nd apron. meaning they'll have to send out about $55M to do it

How could they do that and still fill out their roster?

It’s easy to make a legal trade work with Milwaukee.

Whether they do it or Miami accepts it is the discussion I guess. But is legal.

Miami isn't going to go over the second apron and they're pretty close right now, so it would require a third team. The players leaving the Bucks would almost have to be Middleton and Portis to Miami and Conaughton to a third team. Then, it's just a matter of compensation - picks to whomever takes Pat Conaughton, and a pick to Miami...