Although star Jimmy Butler is essential to the Miami Heat’s chances of winning a championship soon, it might not be in their best interests to have him around for the long run.
Butler will look for a maximum contract extension before he becomes an unrestricted free agent in the upcoming offseason. The veteran forward may leave the Heat if things don’t work out in the upcoming campaign.
The Heat will regret not dealing Butler this offseason, according to Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz.
“As good as the past five years have gone for both Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat,” wrote Swartz. “The franchise is making a mistake by not trading the All-Star forward this summer.”
Butler’s departure would free up space for the Heat’s youthful core to develop as a unit: Bam Adebayo (27), Tyler Herro (24), Jaime Jaquez Jr. (23), Nikola Jovic (21), and Kel’el Ware (20). A team like the New Orleans Pelicans or Memphis Grizzlies might offer the 34-year-old to Miami’s executive staff in exchange for significant draft capital.
“Miami should be extremely wary of Butler’s future, especially since he’ll be 35 by the start of the season and hasn’t played more than 65 games since he was with the Chicago Bulls in 2016-17,” wrote Swartz. “Butler could also leave as an unrestricted free agent next summer.”
Be the first to comment