The Heat have officially acquired Jimmy Butler from the Sixers in a sign-and-trade deal that also includes the Trail Blazers and the Clippers, according to press releases from Miami and Philadelphia.
The Heat also acquired big man Meyers Leonard from the Trail Blazers and cash considerations from the Clippers. Miami sent shooting guard Josh Richardson to Philadelphia, center Hassan Whiteside to the Blazers and a conditional first-round pick to the Clippers. The Clippers also received forward Maurice Harkless from Portland and the draft rights to 2017 second-round pick Mathias Lessort from the Sixers.
The Clippers and Blazers have also confirmed the swap.
The 2023 first-rounder that the Heat forwarded to the Clippers, which is lottery-protected through 2025 and unprotected in 2026, was subsequently moved to the Thunder as part of the agreed-upon Paul George blockbuster.
Butler inked a four-year, $141MM contract with the Heat. Miami waived forward Ryan Anderson and stretched his contract in order to stay below the hard cap and complete the sign-and-trade.
“Jimmy’s leadership, tenacity, professionalism, defensive disposition and his ability to create his own shot will improve our roster immediately,” Miami president Pat Riley said in the press release. “Any time you can add a four-time All-Star to your roster, you make that move. Meyers is a versatile big, a great shooter, can play inside and block shots. The addition of both men puts us in a great position to win.”
The disgruntled Butler was dealt by Minnesota to Philadelphia last season. The Sixers wanted to retain Butler but couldn’t convince him to stay and got something for him via the sign-and-trade mechanism. In 65 total games for the Wolves and Sixers last season, Butler averaged 18.7 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 4.0 APG, and 1.9 SPG with a .462/.347/.855 shooting line. Richardson averaged a career-high 16.6 PPG and 4.1 APG last season.
Blazers president of basketball operations Neil Olshey called the acquisition of Whiteside an “impact move for our roster.” The Blazers were looking for a starting center with Jusuf Nurkic on the mend from a serious leg injury.
Lol at Olshey saying he wants to play more through the post, so they got the least efficient post player in the league. Good job. Wonder what happens when he wont screen for their guards, or better, when he actually does and they pull up from 27 feet. CJ told him to bring his hard hat, but he doesnt own one lol. Whiteside is still a good player. I’m not saying he isnt. I just think Zach Collins should start over him, and he would be much more effective off the bench
Now let’s get Russ and/or Beal.
Beal isn’t happening
Damn…that sucks
Russ and Butler would fight every time they didn’t get the ball. There’s a reason that Jimmy is on his 4th team in 3 years. He doesn’t play well with others and he sabotages coaches openly.
Cool. I’d still want them on the Heat.
Jimmy is known as “the big C”. Cancerrrrrrr
Should trade Dragic and Johnson and a couple second rounders for Chris Paul.
Houston get rid of Paul and his very long and expensive contract, to make Harden happy and get back Dragic who is a similar player on and expiring deal. They get Johnson who is a good vet role player in a position they could do with depth in, plus some picks. Miami gets Paul a veteran leader who will play in a system that suits him more and he gets more touches. Plus it makes Miami a better team and will help them with a play off push.
I don’t know if Houston would do it, but that would actually help both teams in different ways.