Eager to trade Butler, Heat explores non-Phoenix options. Why there’s some urgency

Eager to move on from its disgruntled star, the Heat has been cautiously optimistic about finding a palatable trade to move Jimmy Butler before the Feb. 6 trade deadline and has been engaging several teams beyond Phoenix, which has had difficulty facilitating a deal.

And even though removing the distraction would be helpful, Miami has other incentives to make a deal:

▪ Butler’s ability to exercise his $52.4 million player option next season, with the hope that the Heat would trade him, could limit Miami’s ability to improve the team early in free agency.

The Heat, with its current roster, would be $4 million over the projected 2025-26 luxury tax line, and close to the first apron, if Butler remains with the team and opts in. That essentially would deter Miami from using exception money to improve the team if Butler trade talks were to drag on in July.

That’s one reason for Miami to feel urgency to complete a trade before next Thursday, though it’s adamant against taking big contracts for non All-Stars that extend into the 2026-27 season.

▪ Even though the Heat is saving money by suspending Butler, none of those savings come off the team’s tax bill because it’s a team suspension, not an NBA suspension.

Say, for example, that Butler remained with the Heat and was suspended half of next season. The Heat wouldn’t be able to deduct half his salary — or the cumulative amount of his fines — from its luxury tax bill. For tax calculation purposes, Miami would still be $4 million over the tax line with all of the players under contract next season, including Butler.

And based on history, Butler is expected to get back some of his fine money, which is currently being held in escrow, during the appeal process.

▪ Even though the Heat cited Butler “withholding…services” in its indefinite suspension, there is nothing in the labor agreement that would allow Miami to terminate his contract. Voiding of contracts typically is a realistic avenue only if a player commits a crime.

The NBA addresses “withholding services” only from a player perspective. According to the league, a player who withholds services for more than 30 days cannot become a free agent “unless the team for which the player last played expressly agrees otherwise.”

So the Heat is motivated to make a deal.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported Tuesday that “the Heat’s price has dropped. They are willing to do more than they were when all this started last month. The Heat are trying to get this done.”

Windhorst said “from my discussions with the league, I think some teams that thought they were out of this are coming back in because it doesn’t look like the Suns and Heat are going to be able to consummate a deal. I think we might see a team swoop in and get Jimmy at a bargain price.”

The Suns can acquire Butler only if they can find a team willing to take on Bradley Beal’s contract, which carries a no-trade clause and has two years and $110 million remaining after this season. Phoenix wants Butler, and the Suns are Butler’s first choice, but finding a taker for Beal has been difficult.

Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports reported Tuesday that the Golden State Warriors among the teams “back in the mix” for Butler now that the Heat has lowered its asking price.

A league source confirmed Tuesday that the Suns and Warriors are two of the teams currently in pursuit of trading for Butler.

Then Ian Begley of SNY reported Tuesday to “keep an eye on Minnesota in a Butler deal. In the offseason, the Heat were one of the teams that expressed interest in trading for Julius Randle, per SNY sources. Randle has remained on the Heat’s radar during the Butler saga.”

Per an initial ESPN report, Miami originally was seeking either a great player or good players who can help them make the playoffs, plus a good prospect and draft compensation.

According to a source, the Heat also has felt it should receive a carrot (likely a draft pick) if it takes players whose contracts run through next season. The Heat has been reluctant — but hasn’t ruled it out — to take on non All-Stars whose contracts run past 2025-26, when it is positioned to have more than $80 million in cap space that summer. Several All-Stars, including Luka Doncic, are eligible to become free agents that summer.

Though most stars now end up signing extensions without making it to free agency, the Heat wants to have the flexibility that summer to acquire a star who wants to change teams, via either free agency or trade. Miami, naturally, is willing to try to acquire a star before then if one becomes available.

Player reaction

Players say Butler’s departure late in shootaround on Monday, which triggered his third team suspension, didn’t include him making a scene.

“It wasn’t a crazy scene,” Nikola Jovic said, adding “I wouldn’t say we were shocked [he left practice]. It’s not easy for him.”

“I didn’t really notice [Butler’s departure initially],” Haywood Highsmith said.

Butler has expressed fondness for Jovic, who was measured when asked his thoughts on the situation on Monday evening.

“First of all, he’s my friend and teammate,” Jovic said. “It’s the business of basketball. He understands it; everybody else understands it. Nobody is happy it turned out this way.

“But he’s still my friend and still one of the best players in the world. We hope to see him back on the court…. I guess he has a right to be unhappy…. He’s been a leader of this team for a while now.”

Highsmith was asked if he takes it personally that Butler stormed off after Spoelstra decided to stick with Highsmith as a starter.

“Not really,” Highsmith said. “Obviously, he wants to start and he wants to play. I try to stay in my lane and play and do what I’ve got to do. I quiet all the outside stuff. As long as you know how to do that, it’s not really disruptive.”

“We’ve been in a lot of situations this year,” Bam Adebayo said when asked about what the team has gone through, in a reference to Butler. “It shows with all the noise, with all the chaos, we can still win and come together and be a great team. The game still has to be played, no matter what is going on in the organization.”

Injury report

The Heat ruled out Butler (team suspension), Josh Richardson (right heel inflammation), Dru Smith (left Achilles surgery) and Isaiah Stevens (G League) for Wednesday’s home game against the Cavaliers.

Jaime Jaquez Jr. is listed as probable for Wednesday’s contest after missing Monday’s double-overtime win over the Orlando Magic because of a stomach illness.