Jimmy Butler has achieved his goal of leaving Miami, and he is getting a lucrative new contract in the process.
The Miami Heat and Golden State Warriors have finalized a trade agreement that will send Butler to California, as confirmed by an insider familiar with the negotiations. Butler played a crucial role in leading Miami to the NBA Finals on two occasions, but tensions brewed in January, resulting in him facing multiple suspensions from the team.
Golden State is facilitating the deal by sending Andrew Wiggins, Dennis Schroder, Kyle Anderson, Lindy Waters, and draft compensation. The departure of Wiggins and Anderson will benefit Miami, although there is uncertainty about whether Anderson will remain with the team. Meanwhile, Schroder is heading to Utah and Josh Richardson is making the move from Miami to Detroit alongside Waters. P.J. Tucker, who was traded to Utah earlier, was briefly set to return to Miami but is now on his way to Toronto, while Davion Mitchell will join the Heat.
Ultimately, Butler got what he wanted.
“I’m going to miss him for sure,” commented Heat forward Nikola Jovic, who has always looked up to Butler. “A lot of guys here will miss him. He has done so much for this franchise.”
The Heat will receive a protected first-round draft pick from Golden State; currently, it is a pick from this year’s draft, but that could change as negotiations continue. Additionally, reports indicate that Butler has agreed to a two-year contract extension with the Warriors that is valued at around $113 million.
“I’m really happy he got what he wanted,” Jovic added. “That’s a significant amount of money.”
Mark your calendars for March 25 for the game between Golden State and Miami, as that will be the first opportunity for Butler to return to South Florida as a member of the Warriors.
With this trade, Butler has joined his fifth NBA team after previous stints with Chicago, Minnesota, Philadelphia, and Miami. His arrivals were celebrated in each city, although his departures were less than smooth.
At Golden State, he will play alongside established stars Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, both of whom were integral to the Warriors’ championship successes and are eager to contend for another title.
Following the news of the trade, the Warriors held a private meeting in their locker room, during a time when reporters usually have access. Head coach Steve Kerr addressed the team before they took the court against Utah, where the Warriors fell short in a close game.
“Our guys were preparing to play, and suddenly we’re saying our goodbyes,” Kerr remarked.
The breakdown between Butler and the Heat had been developing for months, primarily due to financial disputes. Butler was eligible for a lucrative two-year extension, but the Heat refrained from offering it, mainly because he missed approximately 25% of their games during his time with the team.
By early January, the relationship had disintegrated beyond repair. Butler expressed doubts about finding joy on the court with Miami, leading to a suspension for detrimental conduct.
His situation deteriorated further, with three suspensions occurring in January alone. The final straw was an indefinite suspension after he left shootaround early upon learning he would not start in an upcoming game.
“There was a lot said by everyone but me,” Butler stated after returning from the initial suspension. “Let people continue to talk … The whole truth will eventually surface.”
The Heat acknowledged Butler’s request for a trade, prompting them to reconsider their stance after team president Pat Riley had previously declared they wouldn’t trade him. Following the announcement of his first suspension, the team indicated they were exploring trade options.
Butler is currently averaging 17 points per game this season, with his standout performance against Detroit on December 16 still fresh in fans’ minds, where he recorded an impressive 35 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists.
However, things took a turn for the worse after that game, as he struggled to produce, averaging only 9.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 4.2 assists over his next six games, including one appearance where he had to leave early due to illness.
Wiggins, the top pick of the 2014 draft, has showcased his talent throughout his 11-year career, with a scoring average of 18.5 points. Kerr has praised Wiggins this season, noting the Warriors’ success when he plays well, referencing their 8-3 record when he scores at least 23 points.
“Wiggins is one of my favorite players to have coached,” Kerr stated. “He brings so much joy and positivity. We wouldn’t have our championship banner in 2022 without him, and I will truly miss him.”
Butler became the face of the Miami franchise when he arrived in 2019, stepping into the role previously held by Dwyane Wade. In his time with the Heat, he was named an All-Star twice, helped the team reach the NBA Finals during 2020 and again as a No. 8 seed in 2023, and had remarkable playoff performances, including eight of the 18 recorded 40-point games in Heat postseason history, highlighted by a record 56-point game against Milwaukee.
The last time Butler publicly spoke as a member of the Heat was during a padel tournament on January 25, where he professed his love for the city. Just two days later, he faced his final suspension from the team.
