Jimmy Butler Open To Playing Anywhere But Miami Or Memphis

[RealGM Wiretap]

On Thursday's episode of NBA Today, ESPN's Marc J. Spears gave some insight into where Jimmy Butler is at with his trade request. Butler reportedly is open to playing for any team except for the Miami Heat or Memphis Grizzlies. It was also reiterated that the Heat star's preferred destination remains the Phoenix Suns.

It's unclear why Butler isn't interested in a deal to Memphis. The Grizzlies would seemingly be a good fit, but several outlets have now reported that the veteran star has no interest in joining the Western Conference contender.

Miami has suspended Butler for a second time. This time, Butler is serving a two-game suspension, after he previously finished a seven-game suspension.

Via Marc J. Spears/ESPN

[TheCage4]

So he'd play in Washington or Charlotte over Memphis?

[Wildcat]

If he wasn't being a jerk about this whole mess, he probably would have had an easy road to Phoenix.

[Ryan4Twins]

Trade him to Washington. That should humble him real quick

[Effigy]

If he wasn't being a jerk about this whole mess, he probably would have had an easy road to Phoenix.

I don’t think so. Phoenix has very limited assets they can send. Miami would probably prefer to find a team with a more attractive package.

[Wildcat]

If he wasn't being a jerk about this whole mess, he probably would have had an easy road to Phoenix.

I don’t think so. Phoenix has very limited assets they can send. Miami would probably prefer to find a team with a more attractive package.

Phoenix made a move to get addition draft capital, so I imagine there are other behind the scenes things going on that Miami is privy to. Miami -- rightfully so -- likely doesn't want anything to do with Beal, but I would be absolutely floored if the deal didn't include multiple teams that'll land them some additional pieces and/or picks. But also knowing Pat, he's probably dragging his feet because of Jimmy's professionalism. All Jimmy is doing is costing himself 3 mil and some level of respect from the owners. It's easy to shake of toxicity rep when you're young, ain't going to be easy to shake it off as a declining star.

[elmdawgg69]

Phoenix can easily send Beal and the three firsts from Utah for Butler.

[Billl]

Phoenix can easily send Beal and the three firsts from Utah for Butler.

I mean, they can offer that. But Beal has to wave his no trade clause. And then Miami has to accept Beal and some weak picks. It doesn't sound like Miami is interested in that package or else that deal would be done already.

[WiggOuts]

This is an odd situation where I don't really want to see eitherJimmy or Riley win and it might actually pan out that way. I want to sympathize with Jimmy but he's being a child.

Funny things is MEM would be really good with him, my guess is he got wind that Riley really liked what they offered

[TheCage4]

This is an odd situation where I don't really want to see eitherJimmy or Riley win and it might actually pan out that way. I want to sympathize with Jimmy but he's being a child.

Funny things is MEM would be really good with him, my guess is he got wind that Riley really liked what they offered

The Grizzlies do not need a 35 year old diva looking for a huge payday to mess up the locker room.

[castor777]

Phoenix can easily send Beal and the three firsts from Utah for Butler.

The picks are the only attractive thing there for Miami. Beal would be a terrible fit and they definitely don't want that contract. Phoenix has to find another team to unload Beal to and something that'd interest Miami in return. We'll see what they find in the next 2 weeks.

[Slim Charless]

Phoenix can easily send Beal and the three firsts from Utah for Butler.

I mean, they can offer that. But Beal has to wave his no trade clause. And then Miami has to accept Beal and some weak picks. It doesn't sound like Miami is interested in that package or else that deal would be done already.

Yup and there's a 0.00% chance Beal agrees to play in Utah lol

[puja21]

Phoenix can easily send Beal and the three firsts from Utah for Butler.

I mean, they can offer that. But Beal has to wave his no trade clause. And then Miami has to accept Beal and some weak picks. It doesn't sound like Miami is interested in that package or else that deal would be done already.

Yup and there's a 0.00% chance Beal agrees to play in Utah lol

You're not understanding

The Suns just acquired 3 picks from Utah

OP is saying he thinks Riley will agree to take Beal in Miami as a trade off for 3 FRPs.

No one is going to Utah. That deal is already done.

[OxAndFox]

This just wreaks of Jimmy knowing Memphis had something that was a decent offer and Miami would seriously consider. Unless he just doesn't like the Owner/GM/Coach or something. I mean, why single Memphis out like that?

[Pickled Prunes]

Phoenix can easily send Beal and the three firsts from Utah for Butler.

The picks are the only attractive thing there for Miami. Beal would be a terrible fit and they definitely don't want that contract. Phoenix has to find another team to unload Beal to and something that'd interest Miami in return. We'll see what they find in the next 2 weeks.

To me, the most attractive part of a Jimmy trade is the drive to the airport.

I think Beal would fit in well in MIA. Spo would be the best coach he's ever played for. Beal would not be a replacement for Jimmy; that would be done by committee. Beal would instead be a massive upgrade over Rozier. If Beal is healthy next season he would likely be in the all-star conversation. (I wouldn't expect him to be selected, just be on the fringe.)

OK, here's the trade:
Jimmy to PHX
Beal and Cam Johnson to MIA
Rozier and those three 1sts to BRK

Everybody wins this trade... and it might be my best fake trade ever!!!

[Spangerang]

Phoenix can easily send Beal and the three firsts from Utah for Butler.

The picks are the only attractive thing there for Miami. Beal would be a terrible fit and they definitely don't want that contract. Phoenix has to find another team to unload Beal to and something that'd interest Miami in return. We'll see what they find in the next 2 weeks.

To me, the most attractive part of a Jimmy trade is the drive to the airport.

I think Beal would fit in well in MIA. Spo would be the best coach he's ever played for. Beal would not be a replacement for Jimmy; that would be done by committee. Beal would instead be a massive upgrade over Rozier. If Beal is healthy next season he would likely be in the all-star conversation. (I wouldn't expect him to be selected, just be on the fringe.)

OK, here's the trade:
Jimmy to PHX
Beal and Cam Johnson to MIA
Rozier and those three 1sts to BRK

Everybody wins this trade... and it might be my best fake trade ever!!!

There’s no chance this trade would ever happen. Mia is not taking back Beal’s $110m over the next 2 years and his no trade clause without getting quality 1st rd picks, which those picks are not.

[LakersLegacy]

This just wreaks of Jimmy knowing Memphis had something that was a decent offer and Miami would seriously consider. Unless he just doesn't like the Owner/GM/Coach or something. I mean, why single Memphis out like that?

Morant gun and Jimmy ego

[madmaxmedia]

The picks are the only attractive thing there for Miami. Beal would be a terrible fit and they definitely don't want that contract. Phoenix has to find another team to unload Beal to and something that'd interest Miami in return. We'll see what they find in the next 2 weeks.

To me, the most attractive part of a Jimmy trade is the drive to the airport.

I think Beal would fit in well in MIA. Spo would be the best coach he's ever played for. Beal would not be a replacement for Jimmy; that would be done by committee. Beal would instead be a massive upgrade over Rozier. If Beal is healthy next season he would likely be in the all-star conversation. (I wouldn't expect him to be selected, just be on the fringe.)

OK, here's the trade:
Jimmy to PHX
Beal and Cam Johnson to MIA
Rozier and those three 1sts to BRK

Everybody wins this trade... and it might be my best fake trade ever!!!

There’s no chance this trade would ever happen. Mia is not taking back Beal’s $110m over the next 2 years and his no trade clause without getting quality 1st rd picks, which those picks are not.

Yeah, maybe Beal could actually play better in Miami or elsewhere but this is not about player value so much as Beal's impact on Miami's salary cap the next couple of years (and the no-trade clause makes it even worse.) This is also why the Clippers didn't want to 'play ball' with the Warriors.

[Pickled Prunes]

The picks are the only attractive thing there for Miami. Beal would be a terrible fit and they definitely don't want that contract. Phoenix has to find another team to unload Beal to and something that'd interest Miami in return. We'll see what they find in the next 2 weeks.

To me, the most attractive part of a Jimmy trade is the drive to the airport.

I think Beal would fit in well in MIA. Spo would be the best coach he's ever played for. Beal would not be a replacement for Jimmy; that would be done by committee. Beal would instead be a massive upgrade over Rozier. If Beal is healthy next season he would likely be in the all-star conversation. (I wouldn't expect him to be selected, just be on the fringe.)

OK, here's the trade:
Jimmy to PHX
Beal and Cam Johnson to MIA
Rozier and those three 1sts to BRK

Everybody wins this trade... and it might be my best fake trade ever!!!

There’s no chance this trade would ever happen. Mia is not taking back Beal’s $110m over the next 2 years and his no trade clause without getting quality 1st rd picks, which those picks are not.

MIA wouldn't get any picks in that deal. The picks (and Rozier) would go to BRK. MIA would be trading Jimmy/Rozier ($73.7m) for Cam Johnson/Beal ($72.7m). The ESPN trade machine estimates this would give MIA +10 wins this season.... and they don't give up a single positive asset to do it! (No, Jimmy is not a positive asset.)

Yeah, maybe Beal could actually play better in Miami or elsewhere but this is not about player value so much as Beal's impact on Miami's salary cap the next couple of years (and the no-trade clause makes it even worse.) This is also why the Clippers didn't want to 'play ball' with the Warriors.

I can understand why Riley and the fan base would be hard headed about Beal. I am not a MIA fan, and I wouldn't want Beal either. That is a bad contract! But if taking on Beal gets me Cam, gets rid of Jimmy and Rozier... I do that all day. You have to look at the bigger picture. I would also try to get Beal to permanently waive his NT, but that wouldn't be a deal breaker. All three teams get what they want in this deal, but MIA would be the out and out winner. Take the win!

Cam/Beal > Jimmy/Rozier

MIA starting lineup: Bam/Cam/Robinson/Herro/Beal

Here's a similar trade I proposed that MIA might like better, but requires they keep Rozier and possibly send out a pick:
Jimmy to PHX
Cam/Claxton to MIA
Beal and the three picks to BRK (Maybe on more pick from MIA.)

I know MIA (and fans) like this better on paper, but I'm not convinced it's better on the court. They avoid taking on Beal, who is overpaid by about $20m, but they have to keep Rozier, who is overpaid by about $20m. The ESPN trade machine estimates this would give MIA +8 wins this season and they still pay Rozier and might have to give up a pick.

That MIA starting lineup: Claxton/Bam/Cam/Robinson/Herro