Heat Looking For Win-Now Players On Short-Term Contracts In Jimmy Butler Trade

[RealGM Wiretap]

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

[winforlose]

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.

[Pickled Prunes]

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.

Yep, I outlined this a few weeks ago right here on RealGM. I'm glad Jake Fisher is paying attention!

[niha17]

thats next to impossible with butlers contract

[FrodoFraggins]

Your window is closed Pat

[Toine85]

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]

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.

[DayofMourning]

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.

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

[Vegeta10176]

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.

Lol literally the dumbest post I've seen you want to pair randle poor 3 pt shooter with Bam lol lol lol lol

[beefymajesto]

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.

[Sign5]

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.

Lol a team rarely goes ahead and just trades it's shiny new toy (Ware in this case). Especially not for an enigmatic player like Randle.

[Joshuan3]

A ton of tanking teams have some players that fit that description: Kyle Kuzma, Jerami Grant, Bruce Brown, Chris Boucher

[danfantastk32]

I like Pat, and his body of work speaks for itself, but he's trying to play this like he's holding all the cards here. Fact is, nobody wants anywhere near that $52mil owed next year (when he'll be 36) and Jimmy ain't gonna waive that thing. So you can stop acting like "well, we want this...and this" and you better go buy some nice kneepads, cause your most likely stuck with a declining player who's gonna sponge a good quarter - to - third of the team's salary while giving "disgruntled effort" at best....unless you go make someone a "deal" they can't refuse