After months of drama, the Jimmy Butler saga in Miami is finally over. There were suspensions, PR battles and whatever else, but Butler is officially headed to the Golden State Warriors in a trade first reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania.
While rumors had Butler linked to the Suns, there didn’t appear to be a viable path with Phoenix unless Bradley Beal waived his no-trade clause. The Warriors were also reportedly interested in a Kevin Durant reunion, but the former MVP didn’t want to return to Golden State.
So, finally, the Warriors landed on Butler. It’s clear Golden State is looking to remain competitive while Stephen Curry is still contributing this late in his career. The Warriors parted ways with Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson and a top-10 protected 2025 first-round pick in the deal.
There are other parts of the trade. Per reports, the Heat are also getting PJ Tucker from the Jazz. The Pistons are also involved as they land Lindy Waters and Josh Richardson. The Jazz are set to get Dennis Schroder. While it was reported Anderson was going to be sent to the Raptors, Charania reports that part of the deal fell through, so the Heat will retain Anderson instead.
Here’s a look at the Heat and Warriors in the aftermath of this blockbuster deal:
Rival finally gone from Miami
The Celtics and Heat have been the East’s best rivalry during the 2020s, meeting up in the playoffs four times this decade with three of those in the East Finals. Butler has been a consistent force during those times, eliminating the Celtics on two such occasions.
The return doesn’t pop off the page in the package going back to Miami. But that’s what happens when a star publicly wants out and does it like Butler did. It was clear Butler wanted to end up in Phoenix, but instead, the Heat elected to go with what they believed to be the best package. Notably, the Heat also get under the luxury tax and first apron with the deals, giving them future financial flexibility.
