RealGM

The Miami Heat are trying to thread a pretty complicated needle in any potential Jimmy Butler trade. Miami wants to remain a playoff team, but the Heat also do not want to take on long-term money in a Butler trade.

Miami wants to make the playoffs this season, so that their first-round draft pick will convey to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2025 NBA Draft. If that pick does not convey, it will roll over to the 2026 draft with no protections. That will then force the Heat to give the Charlotte Hornets an unprotected first-round pick in the 2028 draft. If the Heat convey the pick to the Thunder this year, they owe the Hornets a lottery-protected pick in 2027.

In addition, Pat Riley and the Miami front office is looking to create salary flexibility in a Butler deal. The Heat are looking to players in the offseason free agent of trade market in either the summer of 2025 or the summer of 2026. That's why Miami is reluctant to take back long-term money in a potential Butler deal.

Via Jake Fischer/The Stein Line

RealGM Wiretap wrote:Miami wants to make the playoffs this season, so that their first-round draft pick will convey to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2025 NBA Draft. If that pick does not convey, it will roll over to the 2026 draft with no protections. That will then force the Heat to give the Charlotte Hornets an unprotected first-round pick in the 2028 draft. If the Heat convey the pick to the Thunder this year, they owe the Hornets a lottery-protected pick in 2027.

winforlose wrote:All of this plus the Heat had discussions with NYK over Randle in prior seasons. It seems Julius Randle is the ideal fit for the Heat. The question is what the Wolves get in return. Someone on our board pointed out Kel’el Ware would be an excellent fit for us. Combine him with a point guard not named Terry Rozier and the Wolves might be the perfect trade partner for the Butler deal.

Toine85 wrote:

winforlose wrote:All of this plus the Heat had discussions with NYK over Randle in prior seasons. It seems Julius Randle is the ideal fit for the Heat. The question is what the Wolves get in return. Someone on our board pointed out Kel’el Ware would be an excellent fit for us. Combine him with a point guard not named Terry Rozier and the Wolves might be the perfect trade partner for the Butler deal.

There is almost no chance since the Wolves are over the 2nd apron, which means they cannot aggregate players to match Butler’s contract.

winforlose wrote:

Toine85 wrote:

winforlose wrote:All of this plus the Heat had discussions with NYK over Randle in prior seasons. It seems Julius Randle is the ideal fit for the Heat. The question is what the Wolves get in return. Someone on our board pointed out Kel’el Ware would be an excellent fit for us. Combine him with a point guard not named Terry Rozier and the Wolves might be the perfect trade partner for the Butler deal.

There is almost no chance since the Wolves are over the 2nd apron, which means they cannot aggregate players to match Butler’s contract.

You misunderstood, Wolves don’t want Butler. Wolves would be a 3rd, 4th, 5th team. We could also do a 2nd side trade to slide you guys NAW. I could see Randle and NAW to Heat and Kel’el Ware and other assets to the Wolves.

winforlose wrote:All of this plus the Heat had discussions with NYK over Randle in prior seasons. It seems Julius Randle is the ideal fit for the Heat. The question is what the Wolves get in return. Someone on our board pointed out Kel’el Ware would be an excellent fit for us. Combine him with a point guard not named Terry Rozier and the Wolves might be the perfect trade partner for the Butler deal.

DayofMourning wrote:

winforlose wrote:

Toine85 wrote:
There is almost no chance since the Wolves are over the 2nd apron, which means they cannot aggregate players to match Butler’s contract.

You misunderstood, Wolves don’t want Butler. Wolves would be a 3rd, 4th, 5th team. We could also do a 2nd side trade to slide you guys NAW. I could see Randle and NAW to Heat and Kel’el Ware and other assets to the Wolves.

And the whole issue of who gets beal and does he approve.

Might have to add another asset from Miami. Ware and probably Jovic and maybe even a first to get a guy like Randle.

winforlose wrote:

Toine85 wrote:

winforlose wrote:All of this plus the Heat had discussions with NYK over Randle in prior seasons. It seems Julius Randle is the ideal fit for the Heat. The question is what the Wolves get in return. Someone on our board pointed out Kel’el Ware would be an excellent fit for us. Combine him with a point guard not named Terry Rozier and the Wolves might be the perfect trade partner for the Butler deal.

There is almost no chance since the Wolves are over the 2nd apron, which means they cannot aggregate players to match Butler’s contract.

You misunderstood, Wolves don’t want Butler. Wolves would be a 3rd, 4th, 5th team. We could also do a 2nd side trade to slide you guys NAW. I could see Randle and NAW to Heat and Kel’el Ware and other assets to the Wolves.