Jimmy Butler returned to the Heat from his team-issued suspension amid his trade request, but nothing has really changed for the star, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald writes. The Heat haven’t gained any momentum in their trade discussions so far, but will continue to try to fulfill Butler’s request before the Feb. 6 trade deadline.
Butler scored 18 points in a 20-point loss on Friday in his return to action.
“I guess it’s basketball at this point,” Butler said. “I know what I’m expected to do while I’m here. I tried to do that to the best of my ability, but we are where we are.”
According to Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press, Butler was asked what would happen if he’s still on Miami’s roster after the Feb. 6 deadline passes. “We’ll hoop,” the 35-year-old replied.
“There was a lot said by everybody except for me, to tell you the truth,” Butler said after the game, per Reynolds. “So we’ll let people keep talking like they know everything, like they have all the answers. And then sooner or later, the whole truth will come out. But until then, we’ll continue to let people talk. And if I’m here, I will get out there and play.”
We have more from the Eastern Conference:
- The Pistons signed Ron Harper Jr. to a two-way contract on Jan. 6, giving him a roster spot on the team he grew up idolizing, according to Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press. Harper’s father was an assistant coach in Detroit from 2005-07. “Those are like my first core basketball memories,” said the younger Harper, who has yet to appear in an NBA game with the Pistons but is averaging 12.7 points per game in 18 G League outings this season.
- With Karl-Anthony Towns dealing with an injury, Precious Achiuwa is playing key minutes for the Knicks. According to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post, Achiuwa is confident he’s an elite defender in the league. “It’s been an up-and-down season for me just in terms of getting hurt, coming back, playing a little, playing a lot. A lot of things in between,” Achiuwa said. “[But] if you know how to play, you know how to play. Center, power forward — whatever the case is.“
- The anniversary of the Pascal Siakam trade to the Pacers means the traded player exception the Raptors received — that had $5.1MM remaining — officially expired, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca writes. They used part of the exception to absorb Davion Mitchell‘s salary in the move that sent Jalen McDaniels to the Kings and brought Mitchell, Jamal Shead, and a 2025 second round pick to Toronto. Murphy also takes a closer look at the Raptors’ cap situation, noting that they continue to operate more than $10MM below the tax line, creating some flexibility at the trade deadline.
I think they just signed Harper as part of their scouting & preparation for the possible drafting of his brother.
If Raps get involved with the Butler trade, I’d like to see something like this.
Miami: Brown, Boucher, Olynk and a 2nd RP from PHX
PHX: Butler
Raps: Beal and 2031 unprotected FRP from PHX
The only hold up would be Beal and his no trade clause. But Raps need the FRP for taking on that Beal contract.
This trade won’t satisfy Heat. Heat want long term success.
Both Brown and Boucher are 2-month rental (expiring contracts) and Olynk is 33 years old
If Raptors can find a contract like Mikal Bridges to replace Brown, it would be perfect for Heat ( 4 -team deal)
Mikal Bridges contract expired in summer of 2026.
One of the better Butler trades you will find on the internet
Nice post
The Suns 31 FRP would be desirable for sure, but enough to take on that contract? I would lean toward no. Beal might waive his NTC but for Toronto? Not sure you can find a taker for Beal that he would agree to…maybe a 4 team trade, haha. A reasonable framework though.
O silly, Heat said they wanted expiring contracts. It’s the raps (and Beal) that wouldn’t go for it.
However, this is the trade scenario that makes most sense from all that I’ve seen so far. Gj @scissormetimber