The Grizzlies are “lurking” as a potential suitor for Heat star Jimmy Butler, according to Brian Windhorst and Tim Bontemps of ESPN (Insider link), who report that Memphis has talked to Miami about Butler.
Multiple reporters have indicated that Butler’s camp has warned Memphis not to pursue him, though there hasn’t been an explicit reason given as to why. The 35-year-old makes $48.8MM in 2024/25 and could hit free agency in the summer if he declines his $52.4MM player option for ’25/26.
League executives have speculated that the Grizzlies might be interested in Butler for multiple reasons, per Windhorst and Bontemps.
For starters, they would like to consolidate some of their talent for an on-court upgrade ahead of the playoffs. Secondly, if they’re able to move off multiple multiyear contracts (Marcus Smart, among others) in a potential Butler deal and the six-time All-Star walks in free agency, they would have enough cap room to renegotiate and extend Jaren Jackson Jr. in the offseason.
Due to the declining structure of Jackson’s contract and his relatively team-friendly cap hit, a veteran extension may not be possible unless he becomes eligible for a super-max by making an All-NBA team or winning Defensive Player of the Year for a second time.
If Memphis doesn’t want to extend Butler, that could certainly explain why his representatives have warned the team against trading for him. His rift with Miami has largely centered around his desire to receive a maximum-salary extension.
Sources tell ESPN that both the Heat and Butler are motivated to get a trade done before the February 6 deadline, but there’s still a legitimate chance the stalemate extends into the summer, when more suitors and options could emerge.
Referring to the Suns‘ level of desperation as “extremely high,” Windhorst and Bontemps confirm that trading for Butler remains Phoenix’s top priority. However, it’s unclear if Phoenix’s recent draft-pick trade with Utah will increase the odds of landing Butler, since the Suns still have to find a taker for Bradley Beal and his no-trade clause.
Warned Memphis? Or what? You’ll go home and not get paid? Idiot. Honor your contract. In Miami or somewhere else. Has no leverage.
Warning he will leave in the off season
Basically every team should want that at this point. Butler isn’t willing to sign for less than the max, and no team is dumb enough to pay his fossilized butt that much money. He needs to realize he’s not that player anymore, if he ever was.
Talent-wise, Jimmy has delivered. But he’s been inconsistent, especially in the regular season, and has never put in the effort to actually carry a team the way other max guys tend to have done. He’s been the top option without being what you’d look at and say “that’s a bona-fide superstar” outside of the playoffs. And yes, that’s where it matters most, but starting from the disadvantaged position of a lower seed due to seeming laziness isn’t a good look for him.
Trade him anywhere but Phoenix his first choice.
Suns have no threat to any team this summer
Beal contract is still Beal Contract. Suns won’t sign free agent Butler this summer.
Where is Suns cap room this summer?
Value
1 bad First = $20 million
I mean he will sign for less than the max if nobodys giving him the max
I can see it happening if Riley doesn’t overplay his hand and want draft picks. Grizzlies have a couple of players that can make up the money part with Smart and Clark part of the package.
I do not believe Memphis would have an interest in giving Jimmy Butler the max contract extension he desires. Phoenix is his desired destination because they will give him his contract.
Offer Smart, Clarke, Konchar and Edey with 1sts to Miami for Butler, Love and Ware
Then sign Bismack Biyombo to a standard contract and Amari Bailey to a two way contract
This is still what I think.
Nobody wants Beal contract. Suns have 3 bad first round picks.
Great teams Thunder don’t need those Firsts
Terrible team Nets don’t need those Firsts
…….
Both Raptors and Bucks don’t want Beal.
Thanks Captain
I don’t care where Butler is traded to he is not declining that option. No one is giving him that money for next year. He’s “stuck” with that option. I’m not crying for him..
50 mil option must be terrible to live with over your head. How does Jimmy sleep. I think He has a better chance to win in Memphis than Phx. We shall see.
Grizzlies can trade for Jimmy and stay under the luxury tax. They are currently 1.7M under.
Send out Smart, Clarke, Kennard, Konchar, and a lottery protected 1st, adding only 673K. If Miami finds a third team to take on Richardson and Burks (total 5.1M) minimum contracts, they save 5.8M in payroll and cut their luxury tax bill from 22.5M to 10.6M, before unlikely incentives are accounted for.
Memphis then converts Cam Spencer to a standard rookie minimum contract; only he is eligible as a 2nd round pick. This gets the Grizzlies back to the minimum 13 man roster, and now they are 682K under the tax.
Sign a 10 day contract 2 weeks after the deadline, or 2/20. Leave that roster spot empty for 2 more weeks, or 3/15.
Fill that roster spot with a minimum ROS contract (468K) to get back to 14 men. The rest is enough to fill the 15th roster spot on 3/29.
The unlikely incentives seem to be a real problem with this new CBA. Having to add 4.5M to the matching for Cam Johnson could really clog the gears on deals like these.
Smart, Clarke, and Kennard works money wise.
Trade for Jimmy, clear some unwanted contracts. Trade him to the Suns next year for those 3 FRPs they got from Utah?
So your committing to taking Beal back the next 2 years? The Suns cant aggregate salaries so they can only deal Beal and all his money and no trade clause. Personally if Im going that route I just resign Butler since hes better than Beal now and on a new deal. I assume unless he balls out like crazy in the playoffs Jimmy is looking at something like 3/100M on the open market which beats beals 2/110ish.