The Heat are still working on options to complete the Jimmy Butler sign-and-trade with the Sixers, according to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.com (Twitter link). The two sides will search for a third team to take on additional salary from Miami, as Marc Stein of the New York Times tweets.
[RELATED: Heat Finalizing Sign-And-Trade For Jimmy Butler]
The Mavericks appeared to be the team willing to take on salary in order to help both teams complete the trade. It was reported that Goran Dragic would be sent to Dallas as part of a three-team deal, but the Mavs then felt that Dragic’s salary would eat into their cap space and hinder their other plans.
Kelly Olynyk and Derrick Jones were believed to be taking Dragic’s place in the trade, but then it was revealed that the Heat did not want to part with Jones in the deal. The Olynyk/Jones combo wouldn’t have been quite enough from a salary-matching perspective anyway.
The Heat will look for a trade partner for Dragic out of respect for the veteran. The team and his representatives are working to find a deal by July 6. per Shelburne. However, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald (Twitter link) hears from Dragic’s camp that there is no joint effort yet to find him a suitor.
Dragic will make approximately $19.2MM next season. After a day of contract agreements, The Mavericks, Clippers, and Lakers are the only teams with the clear ability to absorb Dragic’s deal without sending salary back, though other teams could potentially create the necessary space.
It’s possible the Mavericks will change its stance again on Dragic once they have a clearer picture of who they can sign with their cap space, though that’s simply my speculation.
Assuming the two sides find a third team to make the sign-and-trade work, Josh Richardson will go to Philadelphia and Butler will begin the Miami chapter of his career on a four-year max deal.
Dragic to Charlotte for Biyombo, Williams, MKG, or Zeller
I don’t think that’s going to work… Charlotte is strapped for cash, one team or the other would be over the cap.
You have to have room to absorb dragic or someone else from the heat. Miami’s trying to unload salary… they can’t take any back if they want Butler.
Watching the Mavs miss on all of their targets is a bit infuriating, but with the biggest names left on the board being Kawhi, Cousins, Danny Green, and Marcus Morris, there’s not much left for them to save the cap room for, except for later, of course. But with the Sixers having spent all of their cap space and the Heat not having enough, perhaps the Mavs can pull a coup and get Jimmy Butler to come to Big D??
Maybe they could trade for Kevin Love, since he thinks Mark Cuban should run for prez.
Why is Butler passing on so much money?
Jimmy butler needs to forget the sign and trade. Sign where he wants.
Miami is where Butler wants to go … but the Heat can’t sign him outright with no cap space thus why they need the sign and trade
Dragic will still go to DAL. Especially after Beverly was signed after this debacle.
What about BOS as 3rd team with Horford as a S&T?
Horford has signed with the Sixers.
I like the Dragic fit in Dallas, could be a monster off the bench
I hope this thing doesn’t go down. Richardson is a good player to pair up with Jimmy.
It will go down and I like J-rich but he’s going to the sixers, officially, on July 6th
Well there goes Miami. Butler is a cancer. Have fun the next 4 years!
Butler and the Heat will thrive together. First of any big moves to bring MIA back to ‘ship contending status.
Dragic to HOU for Chris Paul ?
Simmons, JJ, Butler, Harris, Embiid
vs
Simmons, Richardson, Harris, Horford, Embiid
Defense is better with Horford as the 4 and back-up 5. Defense is better at the 2.
Offensively, Horford was more efficient than Butler per 100 pos.
I think it’s a solid group and gives them more flexibility with resting Embiid.
Embiid – Horford – Pelle
Horford – Scott – Bolden
Harris – Thybulle
Richardson – Zhaire
Simmons – Shake
9 Spots filled, (2) 2-ways. Still need 6 spots.
Danny Green using the MLE would be nice.
TJ possibly returns on vet min. Can see Wilson Chandler, Thabo, Ennis, Tolliver, Vonleh, Faried, Boban, Matthews as potential bench pieces for the Biannual or Vet Mins.