After reporting earlier this week that Jimmy Butler communicated to the Warriors that he’s not interested in signing an extension with them, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said on Tuesday during a TV appearance on Get Up (YouTube link) that the Heat forward remains laser-focused on getting to Phoenix.
“He is trying so hard to force his way to the Suns,” Windhorst said. “He has had several other opportunities where he could have gone, including the Warriors, who were willing to give him a contract extension. And he said, ‘No, send me to Phoenix.'”
While the fact that Phoenix is Butler’s preferred destination has been widely reported for weeks, the 35-year-old’s camp appears to be pushing back on the idea that he’s telling other teams he’s not willing to sign with them.
Sources tell NBA insider Chris Haynes (Twitter link) that Butler’s camp has repeatedly conveyed to the Heat that he’s healthy, in shape, and ready to continue his career. According to Haynes, their message to the team has been to negotiate the best deal possible, and if the Heat are nearing an agreement and that trade partner is granted permission by Miami to speak with Butler’s agent to discuss his future, that conversation would be “welcomed.”
To date, Haynes says, no team has requested permission to have that discussion to Butler’s agent.
For what it’s worth, Windhorst reported nearly a month ago that the Suns were the only team “ready to pay (Butler) exactly what he wants,” which is believed to be the primary reason why Phoenix is atop his wish list.
Here’s more on Butler:
- Later on in his Tuesday appearance on Get Up (YouTube link), during a conversation about the Warriors’ search for a star, Windhorst suggested that a package of Andrew Wiggins and draft assets hasn’t gotten Golden State very far in most of its trade discussions. However, he thinks that could be enough to land Butler if the Heat can’t agree to terms with the Suns. “I will say this, I think Miami was willing to do that deal and they were willing to do that deal for Jimmy Butler,” Windhorst said. “So let’s see if by Thursday that gets revisited. Jimmy Butler didn’t want it, and because he’s got an option on his contract, he has some measure of control.”
- Barry Jackson and Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald break down why the Heat aren’t interested in taking back Bradley Beal‘s contract in a Butler deal with the Suns, exploring how having that deal on the books would hamper the team’s flexibility going forward.
- In a separate story for The Herald, Jackson and Chiang take a closer look at why the Heat feel some level of urgency to close the books on the Butler drama this week. As The Herald’s duo writes, if Butler remains on the roster through Thursday’s deadline and continues to push for a deal to Phoenix, it could result in him picking up his $52MM option for 2025/26, since the Suns will still be operating over the tax aprons and won’t be permitted to acquire a player via sign-and-trade.
A reported rumor on IG (so, grain of salt) is GSW is the driving force being trying to pull a multi team trade with Phily, Phoenix and Miami, to mostly move all the high paid guys around to get them KD, but other pieces might be in play. Would have Wiggins, Butler, PG13 or Maxey also in the deal. Other teams might get into it as well.
I said this on here many times that the deadline would be headlined by a huge multi-teamer, like a 10-teamer or even more!
Yes to a 10 teamer.
Take that rumor with a grain of LSD coz you must be tripping if you think the Sixers would trade maxey for wiggins, assuming KD to dubs and maxey to Heat. PG13 is more realistic
Jeez, its not even my rumor, don’t put it on me, I couldn’t make it more clear! I agree with it though, but I did not report this! Plenty more pieces in play. We could see like half the league flip half of their rosters when all is said and done here!
Davey, if you touch it, it’s yours. Otherwise don’t write it. Come on man that’s common sense.
I really don’t understand people thinking nowadays. For sale one owner car then you go down there and it’s a dealer. So it’s not a 1 owner car? Yes it is. Well, who are you? I’m a dealer. You don’t own it ? Well we do. OK two owners.
It’s like words don’t mean anything anymore.
Put the pipe down Marty …. And STOMP on it lol at least TEN times ……..
Maxey is not leaving Philly. Even if you offered Curry and Dra ……….
Jimmy is a possibility. But all rumors say he doesn’t want Warriors cause of YOU ……. Aha haha
Whindhorst making the most out of the little information he has. He makes it sound like the Warriors offered the Heat Wiggins and picks but he never really SAYS that, just implies it. Feels like he doesnt really know what happened and what didnt happen
That sounds right.
And youve also said that the Schroeder trade turned the season around for the Dubs with them a Top4 team with Melton and an even better Top4 team with Schroeder.
We take your comments with an even bigger of grain salt if you didnt know.
Butler isn’t serious.
Heat should send him to the warriors anyway. Take Wiggins and maybe one first and say good riddance. Even as a rental, I’d take one year of playoff Jimmy (which I would bet everything I have he will deliver this year to spite Pat Riley) if the price isn’t too high. Wiggins contract looks pretty good these days. He’s a Heat type of player.
I still like Butler to GSW. I think Butler is in a game of chicken with MIA (not GSW) trying to designate PHX his next destination. If MIA wins (and Butler accepts that he won’t be traded to PHX), I’m guessing he’ll soften up on going to GSW. If Butler prevails, it will be because MIA takes Beal (it appears nobody else will, without compensation, or PHX would have already moved him and done a simple 3 team deal to get Butler).
Yes that’s fine Butler to Golden State but you guys are forgetting the opt in for next year and that big number.
Warriors are not giving him four more years. I’ll take the rental. You can have whoever you want. We’ll take Jimmy for three months.
Not a day more. Gets hurt too often and makes way too much money and really isn’t a team player. Plus he’s 35 lol.
Gary, I, too, don’t want Butler.
But if the Warriors do it, it won’t be for just 3 months. It’ll be for something along the lines of the next 3 months plus 3 more years at $42M/yr. They’ll sell Butler as the 1B to Steph’s 1A until Steph’s retirement.
Well Davey J is salivating about it.
Genuinely curious: Anyone think GSW would take Beal and would he waive his no-trade clause for them? A three-team trade could work with some salary matching additions, getting Jimmy to PHX and Wiggins and other Warriors to MIA.
Beal is another story. Two more years after this at $60 million? That’s rough.
No. PHX has surveyed the league for Beal takers, and rolled snake eyes. GSW, doing an about face, and taking Beal to help PHX get Butler, would be beyond surprising. Perhaps worthy of an investigation.
*eats popcorn*
I think Jimmy Butler is realizing that Jimmy Butler isn’t as valuable as Jimmy Butler thinks Jimmy Butler is.
Bingo!
Poor Jimmy, he’s not the hot ticket anymore. Everyone knows except him. It’s a tough pill to swallow.
Butler has to get moved right ????
Only way might be to move KD to get him. Jimmy and picks from Heat and Rockets. A three way …..
Jimmy to Suns …….. KD to Rockets …….
Otherwise Jimmy stays and picks up his
$50,000,000.00 dollars for next year in Miami.
You want miracles ….. Beal goes backbto 30 a night with KD gone. Ne easier to move him next year.
Yeah Im the glass is half full poster ……… I love it.
Rockets get KD
Suns get Butler, Burkes, two Rockets #1pick, Heat #1 pick
Heat get FVV, Whitmore, Tate, Rockets #1 pick.
lol they aren’t moving KD to downgrade to Butler.
He should pick up his option, just for Riley’s sake.