Jimmy Butler has played for the Miami Heat for half a decade. Throughout that period, Butler managed to help Miami make two NBA Finals appearances, one in 2020 and one last season. However, after the Heat made a first-round exit after the Boston Celtics went 4-1 in their series, could we see Jimmy and his team part ways?
Miami’s star isn’t to blame for their loss in the NBA Playoffs considering Butler was sidelined due to a sprained ligament in his right knee. But there’s a small chance that the Heat might want to explore their options and see how they could reshape the roster. With that said, here are some trade destinations for Butler if Miami decides to move on.
If Butler were to move to a different team, it’d be best if he could play alongside another franchise player. The Atlanta Hawks currently have a decision to make on which star they want to keep, Dejounte Murray or Tray Young. Given how one star could make an exit, that creates a perfect opportunity for another star to swoop in.
The ideal scenario would be if Butler could play alongside Young. The Heat star is a small forward who focuses on getting buckets, hence the nickname Jimmy Buckets. Having a player like Trae by his side might be a lethal combo. Young is a versatile point guard who can both distribute the ball and score big-time baskets.
Nothing is for sure, but there’s a slight possibility that the duo of Butler and Young could boost Atalnta’s ranking in the Eastern Conference.
Charlotte Hornets take Jimmy Butler
Another team that could benefit both parties is the Charlotte Hornets. Since the arrival of LaMelo Ball in Charlotte, the team only made a couple of NBA Play-In Tournament appearances and never made the playoffs. If the Hornets decide to trade for Butler, he could help elevate Ball’s career.
LaMelo is already an All-Star in the league but lacks the support of solid players. Ball being injury-prone is a factor as to why the Hornets struggle for success. However, there’s no denying that the star guard needs another star in his team. Having Jimmy on their roster could increase the team’s offensive prowess and also give Melo a better scoring option to dish to.