A New Team Is Emerging In Jimmy Butler Trade Talks
Several teams have been tied to Jimmy Butler since it was announced that he wants to be traded from the Miami Heat. But none of those teams have been able to put a deal together. Now a new franchise has emerged in this protracted drama. According to Doug Smith, per NBACentral, the Toronto Raptors […] The post A New Team Is Emerging In Jimmy Butler Trade Talks appeared first on The Cold Wire.
Several teams have been tied to Jimmy Butler since it was announced that he wants to be traded from the Miami Heat.
But none of those teams have been able to put a deal together.
Now a new franchise has emerged in this protracted drama.
According to Doug Smith, per NBACentral, the Toronto Raptors are “looking to involve themselves in the Jimmy Butler trade sweepstakes.”
But it’s not a cut-and-dry, simple situation with Toronto, as Smith explained:
“It’s not that they want Butler: His skill set, age, $52-million (U.S.) player option for next season, and longer-term financial desires make him about ill-suited to join this roster. But general manager Bobby Webster and president Masai Ujiri are trying to be facilitators — and benefactors — in what ultimately happens with Butler, the disgruntled Heat wing who has asked for a trade.”
The Toronto Raptors are looking to involve themselves in the Jimmy Butler trade sweepstakes, per @SmithRaps
“It’s not that they want Butler: His skill set, age, $52-million (U.S.) player option for next season, and longer-term financial desires make him about ill-suited to join… pic.twitter.com/DBat0bRifg
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 17, 2025
The Raptors don’t think Butler would be a good player for their team but they feel they could benefit from being involved in any potential trade.
Moving Butler has become more difficult than some people expected, for a few reasons.
Firstly, the Heat aren’t eager to trade him and they are content to just sit on his contract for the rest of the season.
Secondly, other teams are having a tough time matching his salary and sending the right sort of assets to Miami.
For example, the Phoenix Suns are reportedly very interested in Butler, but they can’t find the right pieces to cover his salary and make the Heat happy.
Bradley Beal would be a good fit in this sort of trade, but he has a hefty contract and a no-trade clause.
The Raptors want to get involved, possibly as part of a three-team trade.
They would help facilitate the Butler move and could end up with some draft picks or players as well.
Is this the sort of involvement the Heat need to get rid of Butler?
The post A New Team Is Emerging In Jimmy Butler Trade Talks appeared first on The Cold Wire.
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