Jimmy Butler era ends with four deals by the Heat that are youth-inspired.
Jimmy Butler is asking for an extension, but what if Miami declines to give it to him? The Heat may make the following four transactions this summer.
Jimmy Butler will always be cherished by Miami Heat supporters. Butler joined the team in the summer of 2019, but the organization was in complete disarray. At that moment, the Heat had not advanced to the Finals since 2014 and had missed the playoffs three years in a row, from 2015 to 2019.
Butler kept his pledge to travel to Miami and win basketball games, despite the opinions of certain members of the Philadelphia 76ers media. Butler guided the Heat to the Finals during his first season with the team. Down in Orlando, we witnessed him battle blow for blow with LeBron James, who is perhaps the best player of all time.
Who could forget Butler’s 2023 game-winning 56-point display of mastery against the Bucks and Jrue Holiday? In that play, Butler performed above and above the call of duty, taking down one of the league’s top perimeter defenders and informing him of it. That year, as the eighth seed, he guided the Heat on an unlikely journey to the Finals. Although there have been many exuberant highs throughout the Jimmy Butler Heat era, it could be heading to an unhappy conclusion.
Butler is now asking Miami for an extension, but the Heat might not be willing to provide it to him just yet. In 2017, Dwyane Wade demanded a high salary from the Heat; similarly, Butler could not receive his desired amount. Although some would consider this to be “doubling down” on your errors, that’s the Heat method. They put victory before of relationships.
In the event that Butler is not extended by the Heat, they ought to start fresh and rebuild using these possible transactions.
Jimmy Butler for the 76ers
Paul Reed, the first round picks in 2024, 2026, and 2028 for the Clippers, are acquired by the Heat.
Draft capital is worth anything in the modern NBA. With the help of outstanding young core players Cameron Johnson and Mikal Bridges, four first-round draft selections, plus a pick trade, the Phoenix Suns were able to acquire Kevin Durant.
The Suns haven’t benefited from that deal, but they’ve never had the same infrastructure as the Heat. The Heat might trade these 76ers draft selections for any of their own young players in order to pair Bam Adebayo with a player who can make a significant impact.
Paul Reed is an afterthought in this deal, but as an energy man, he would thrive in Miami. He’s a board magnet when he gets minutes. His 11.8 offensive rebound percentage fell into the 88th percentile, according Cleaning The Glass. He’s a short-term player, but the Heat would be better off with him than with Dewayne Dedmon.
