Jimmy Butler could land with the Dallas Mavericks and suit up alongside Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving as the Miami Heat star seeks an exit via trade.
Butler is one of the most established two-way stars in the NBA. He has helped his teams reach the playoffs in 12 of his first 13 seasons in the league, including each of the five previous years with the Heat – who he has led to two NBA Finals appearances and an Eastern Conference Finals.
This season, the 35-year-old is averaging 18.4 points per game while shooting a career-best 55.2 percent from the field in his fewest attempts since 2013-14 (11.1). He is also putting up 5.8 rebounds and 4.9 assists, with the Heat starting to find form and sitting sixth in the east.
On Christmas Day, reports broke suggesting Butler – who has been linked with a move all season – would prefer a trade out of Miami before the Feb. 6 deadline. While the forward has not formally requested a trade, he is ready to move on.
Miami is open to sending Butler out of town if the offer is right given his contract situation. Butler has $49 million on his blockbuster $146.4 million contract for the 2024-25 season, as well as a $52 million player option for 2025-26. But the two sides failed to agree on an extension after holding talks last summer.
Butler is reportedly open to joining the Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, and the Mavericks. The Houston native could return home, or he could join another Texas team in the Mavericks – who would have to offer players given their light draft capital.
Plenty of teams could theoretically outbid the Mavs, but they could present a competitive offer, as Bleacher Report has recently suggested while predicting potential landing spots for Butler. The outlet’s proposed trade sees Dallas offering Klay Thompson, P.J. Washington, Daniel Gafford, and first-round pick swaps in 2026 and 2031 to land the six-time All-Star.
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While Gafford and Washington – two acquisitions last season – were pivotal in the Mavs run to the 2024 NBA Finals, Butler could help the team get over the hump and win the first championship since 2011. His two-way nature would undoubtedly boost the Mavericks chances as he forms a deadly trio alongside superstar Doncic and Irving, who has rekindled his form in Dallas.
The duo of Doncic and Irving, along with functional role players, helped the Mavericks reach the NBA Finals last season. With Butler thrown into the mix to capitalize on their momentum, it would signal Dallas intentions to dominate while Doncic is at his spellbinding best and Irving is thriving in his complementary role next to the Slovenian.
Armed with Butler, Irving, and Doncic, the Mavs would perhaps possess the best playmaking options in the league. But it would come at the expense of the teams depth, although it represents an intriguing deal for Miami.
The 19-11 Mavs are next in action against the 15-14 Suns on Saturday, Dec. 28. Meanwhile, the 14-13 Heat take on the 19-12 Orlando Magic on Friday, Dec. 27.
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