When The Miami Heat Could Trade Jimmy Butler And Any Interest In Veteran Free Agent Forward?

The Miami Heat were reportedly going to look to shake up their roster after going through the NBA Play-

In Tournament once again and being manhandled by the Boston Celtics in the first round of the 2024

NBA playoffs. That hasn’t happened, though. There is still time, as training camps don’t open for another

two months, and there is a belief the Heat may make a move or two.

Miami was 46-36 last season, marking the Heat’s fifth straight winning season. However, the Heat were

besieged by injuries, with Jimmy Butler being limited to 60 games, Tyler Herro to 42, and Terry Rozier

to 31 contests after being acquired. The Heat used 21 different players, with each appearing in at least

seven contests. Butler and Rozier missed the entire playoff series against the Celtics, and the Heat

averaged just 92 points a game, the second lowest in the playoffs. The Heat scored the second fewest

points per game in the playoffs—92—and lost the whole playoff series against the Celtics.

For the past two seasons, the Heat have struggled with offense. Miami has placed in the bottom five in

scoring and the bottom ten in shooting the last two years, which prompted head coach Erik Spoelstra to

declare that the Heat’s offensive problems were their main priority.

When The Miami Heat Could Trade Jimmy Butler And Interest In Veteran Free Agent Forward?

The biggest offseason decision made by the Heat was to extend Bam Adebayo. Despite being a reliable

scorer for the last five seasons, Adebayo’s reputation is still primarily based on his rebounding and

defense. Kevin Love was re-signed by the Heat, but he is now a full-time backup because he will turn 36

before the season starts.

Both Haywood Highsmith and Thomas Bryant lean significantly more toward defense than offense.

Although the Heat’s strength is in their frontcourt, 20-year-old Ke’el Ware may not see much action. The

first-round draft pick showed promise by playing well on both ends during the summer league.

a pick in the second round Although Pelle Larsson had a solid summer, he will probably move between

Sioux Falls for the majority of the season. and Miami. Their most significant offensive addition this

offseason is probably Alec Burks. However, after being acquired by the New York Knicks from Detroit

during the trade deadline, the 33-year-old struggled.

Why then has the Heat not done much in the offseason?

General manager of the Heat Andy Elisburg stated, “The focus was going to be a little bit more on the

draft opportunities and then maybe some other smaller opportunities.” “A) Keeping our own free agents,

or B) the minimums or a few deals with minor exceptions. Because we are less likely to be able to

complete those kinds of transactions, that is how I believe we entered the summer with a greater focus

on these kinds of transactions and perhaps less on the others.

 Roster and Salary Situation

Miami entered the offseason over the first apron. While the Heat increased their payroll, they are still below the second apron ($1.2 million), with one open roster spot. But the Heat are projected to have a $26 million tax bill as a repeat offender.

So, the question is, will the Heat want to pay that much tax and potentially be in the Play-In Tournament

again? The Heat have over $191 million committed to 11 players for 2025-26.

There have been rumors that Herro, Butler, and Duncan Robinson could be on the move this summer.

Robinson re-established himself as a key rotational player last season, though he has $39 million left on

his contract over the subsequent two campaigns. He is the player that the Heat would like to use most as

a trade chip. However, Herro is the more valuable piece, and the Heat don’t appear to be opposed to

dealing him to improve the roster.

What To Do With Jimmy Butler?

Turning to Butler, Butler, who became extension-eligible starting on July 6, reportedly wanted a max

extension from the Heat. However, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that before free agency,

Butler would bypass the extension and become a free agent next year. He has a $52.4 million player

option next season.

The Heat risk losing Butler for nothing this offseason. Would they be willing to deal with him ahead of

the trade deadline? Heat president of basketball Pat Riley has indicated that he doesn’t want to deal with

Butler.

“As Pat said at his press conference, it doesn’t have to be something you do now,” Elisburg said in an

interview with Sirius XM. “You have an opportunity to do this all year long, so there’s an opportunity to

do it at some point in time. And there’s an opportunity if he becomes a free agent next year to sit down

and do a contract at that point in time. So there’s always an opportunity to do it.”

But would the Heat have a change of heart and dump Butler, who is making $48.7 million, if they get off

to a slow start, or No. 9 or 10 before the trade deadline?

a chance to accomplish it at some point. Additionally, if he becomes a free agent the following year, there

will be a chance for him to negotiate a contract at that time. Thus, the chance to do so is constant.

But if the Heat start off slowly, or if they select No. 9 or 10 before the trade deadline, would they have a

change of heart and let go of Butler, who is paid $48.7 million?

Heat Interested In Marcus Morris?

The Heat have one open roster space, as was previously mentioned. Marcus Morris included, it does not

seem like the Heat will add anyone given their salary situation. Morris is rumored to have attracted

interest from numerous organizations and is anticipated to join with Cleveland or Philadelphia.

When asked if the Heat will add Morris or anybody else, Winderman responded, “They effectively are,

unless there is a dramatic change in their position against the luxury tax.” “Most of the time, a team’s

interest is brought up in reference to past interest or an effort to establish a market for a player.

However, if quality for a player regarded as a potential rotation player is still available on the free-agent

list at the veteran minimum. the Heat, in my opinion, would at least Think about the calculations and

the possible transfers of other funds. However, once more, it appears that at this point it would have to

be for a player regarded as a surefire rotation component.