Jimmy Butler’s desire for a new beginning has come to fruition as he is traded away from the Miami Heat.
The Heat and the Golden State Warriors have reached an agreement that sends Butler to California, marking the end of his tenure in Miami, which included two NBA Finals appearances and a tumultuous split characterized by multiple suspensions.
In exchange for Butler, the Warriors are parting ways with Andrew Wiggins, Dennis Schroder, Kyle Anderson, and a first-round draft pick.
According to a source familiar with the negotiation, who spoke on the condition of anonymity since league approval is still pending, Wiggins will remain in Miami for now, and Schroder will be sent to Utah — where the Warriors happened to be that night.
Additionally, Josh Richardson will leave Miami for Detroit as part of this deal, while PJ Tucker, who has yet to play this season, has already been traded from the Los Angeles Clippers to Utah and is set to reunite with the Heat.
In this trade, Miami will acquire a protected first-round draft pick from Golden State, which is likely a selection from this year’s draft contingent on final agreements.
Reports also indicate that Butler has accepted a two-year contract extension with the Warriors, potentially worth around $120 million.
The upcoming game on March 25 will be significant as it marks the first time Butler could face off against Miami since his departure.
Butler joins the Warriors as his fifth NBA team after stints with Chicago, Minnesota, Philadelphia, and Miami. His arrivals have been met with enthusiasm in each of these cities, though his exits have often been tumultuous.
Now, he joins veteran stars Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, both of whom have been integral to Golden State’s championship successes, with hopes of returning to title contention.
On the day news of the trade broke, the Warriors held a closed meeting among players, led by coach Steve Kerr, which took place during a period when the locker room is generally available for press inquiries.
Butler’s relationship with the Heat started to deteriorate months ago, primarily due to contract negotiations. The player was eligible for a two-year, $113 million extension which the Heat failed to offer, motivated largely by Butler missing approximately 25% of the games since joining the team in 2019.
Additional complications contributed to this rift. As tensions mounted, both Butler and the Heat grew unhappy with each other, and it became clear that a resolution was unlikely. Butler’s comments in early January expressed skepticism about deriving joy from basketball while being part of the Heat, which ultimately led to a seven-game suspension for what the team deemed detrimental conduct.
This suspension triggered a series of issues: Butler faced three suspensions in January alone, including one for leaving a shootaround early upon learning he wouldn’t start in a game against Orlando.
After his initial suspension, Butler said, “There was a lot said by everybody, except for me, to tell you the truth. We’ll let people keep talking… The whole truth will come out.”
While he never explicitly requested a trade due to league regulations that would impose hefty fines, the Heat claimed Butler did ask for one. Following that revelation, the team’s approach shifted from team president Pat Riley’s earlier statement about not trading him.
Subtle indicators pointed towards his desire to depart; his hair colors and shoes occasionally matched those of teams like Phoenix and Dallas — rumored trade candidates.
Currently, Butler is averaging 17 points per game this season. He achieved a standout performance on December 16 against Detroit, pulling together 35 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists.
However, his form significantly declined afterward, with averages of 9.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 4.2 assists across six games following the Detroit matchup, one of which he exited early due to an illness.
Wiggins, who was selected first overall in the 2014 draft, has an average of 18.5 points across his eleven seasons, including time at Minnesota and Golden State.
Despite their struggles, the Butler-Heat partnership was not devoid of success. He was brought in as the successor to Dwyane Wade’s legacy and became the face of the franchise, even taking over Wade’s former locker.
He was a two-time All-Star with Miami and played pivotal roles in the team’s journeys to the NBA Finals in both 2020 and 2023, contributing remarkable postseason performances. Notably, he holds a record for eight out of 18 Heat playoff games in which players scored 40 points or more, including an all-time high of 56 points against Milwaukee in 2023.
Butler’s last significant appearance with the Heat was at a padel tournament on January 25, which was viewed by many as a farewell to the city he cherished. He stated, “I love this city with everything that I have.”
Just two days later, he faced his final suspension, marking an abrupt end to his chapter in Miami.
