The Miami Heat and Jimmy Butler are going to have a very awkward 2024-25 season if the parties don't part ways before the trade deadline. Butler's made it clear he wants to leave while the Heat haven't shown much interest in welcoming him back with open arms. A change needs to happen, but it seems no other team wants to buy into the volatile Butler outside the Phoenix Suns.
Despite the Suns' rabid interest in acquiring Butler, the Heat refuse to take on the remaining $160 million and three years on Bradley Beal's contract with a no-trade clause. With alternative routes being extremely challenging outside certain deals we've put together which sends Beal to a third team, the Suns might need to up the price on what they're offering to convince the Heat to say yes.
A deal that also loops in the Washington Wizards to improve the quality of assets the Suns receive sees them part with their last-remaining first-round pick.
Trade Details
Phoenix Suns Receive: Jimmy Butler ($48.7 million), Richaun Holmes ($12.6 million), Josh Richardson ($3.0 million)
Miami Heat: Bradley Beal ($50.2 million), Ryan Dunn ($2.5 million), 2031 First-Round Pick Swap (PHX)
Washington Wizards Receive: Duncan Robinson ($19.4 million)
There's no doubt in my mind that Beal can be a productive player when he's happy and within a defined role, something that hasn't been the case with the Suns this season. The Heat can gamble on extracting what's left of Beal's prime to stay competitive while also landing rookie defensive sensation Ryan Dunn. The first-round pick swap is the cherry on top, giving the Heat fantastic value for a player who wants to leave anyway.
The Suns Get Their Man At A Big Price
How all-in is the Phoenix Suns? If you look at their salary bill and their future draft assets, one would say they're as all-in as they can be. They're in a situation where they need to make a move to improve their roster, otherwise, they have to start selling the star players they do have to ensure there is a future path to rebuilding.
Mat Ishbia doesn't want to sell, so he's got to make a move with a short-term viewpoint by giving up both Ryan Dunn and a first-round pick swap.
Jimmy Butler is averaging 17.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.7 assists this season, with low numbers due to his season-long tiff with the Heat. If there is a star that would round this roster up nicely, it would be Butler. He can do it all on both ends of the court, allowing him to plug in easily behind Devin Booker and Kevin Durant.
Butler can't score like either Suns star, so becoming their de-facto playmaker and third option might make him a lethal option with winning intangibles. Richaun Holmes can solve their big-man issue, averaging 2.6 points and 2.9 rebounds this season. Josh Richardson is averaging 4.0 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists, adding versatile guard play off the bench to the roster.
Even though the loss of Dunn will hurt, Butler is a far better player and will give Phoenix a shot at at least being a Playoff team this season. The other additions also prove to bode well for the franchise.
Miami Bite The Bullet
There aren't a lot of positive outcomes for the Heat in this situation. They have lost almost all trade value due to Butler making it clear he won't re-sign with the team. In terms of players, it's hard to imagine any team giving them a superior player to Bradley Beal, who brings something the Heat desperately need on their roster as well.
Beal is averaging 17.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.3 assists this season, becoming a versatile three-position player the later he's gotten into his career. The Heat have only one real perimeter scoring option in Tyler Herro. Beal's addition to the backcourt will give the Heat a chance to have as dynamic an offense as other offensive backcourt like the Dallas Mavericks and Cleveland Cavaliers.
Dunn is averaging 7.0 points and 3.3 rebounds this season. His numbers aren't impressive but everyone knows he's an All-Rookie First Team player due to his incredible defensive aptitude. He would fit like a glove in Miami, potentially becoming a franchise favorite due to his aggressive play style.
There aren't many better outcomes than this for the Heat. They can still put Beal in a position to succeed, especially knowing the player has wanted to join the franchise for years and will be motivated to ensure on-court success.
The Wizards Add A Better Asset
There isn't much to be said about the Wizards' inclusion in this deal. They essentially help the Suns land a big man for their struggling roster by swapping out him for Duncan Robinson. Robinson's shooting ability makes him a far better prospect than Holmes, who's barely been in an NBA team's rotation for the last three seasons.
Robinson is averaging 10.8 points this season. His contract will be expiring next season, with his shooting ability making him a better asset than Holmes. The Wizards can get even more assets next season by moving him to a contender but they could also keep him as a solid locker-room presence.
Robinson's only contribution here is helping two teams make a major winning push with win-now acquisitions. He'd be a decent fit on the Wizards for now, but it most definitely won't be a long-term destination for him.
Can The Heat Do Better?
Any deal the Miami Heat accepts will signal the fact that they think they can't squeeze more assets out of a potential Butler trade. Adding a winning player like Dunn with a lot of room to grow alongside a first-round pick swap from a franchise that won't control their pick in the seven preceding years is a massive get. This does not even include the proven high-volume scoring Beal brings to the franchise.
Teams aren't lining up for Butler, especially because the star is directly telling them not to. It's the easiest solution to send Jimmy to Phoenix and try to maximize the return to ensure the Suns feel some pain on their end. Landing Dunn and their final pick swap is the pain they'll inflict to create a somewhat fair price for Butler's services.
I personally don't think the Heat can get a better player than Beal from any other team, let alone the value of a 22-year-old versatile rookie and a first-round pick swap.
