Once it became apparent that the Miami Heat and Jimmy Butler weren't able or refused to agree to a contract extension, it became clear that there is a very good chance that the 2024-25 NBA season could end up being their last together. While plenty can change over the course of a season, it does seem as if Jimmy is preparing to test free agency next summer - even if it is to push the Heat toward the point of paying him the money he believes he deserves.
If Jimmy does genuinely weigh the possibility of leaving the Heat in free agency, there could be plenty of viable options for the veteran All-Star forward. Let's explore five of the biggest threats that could emerge for Jimmy.
5 Teams who could be a threat to sign Jimmy Butler away from the Miami Heat
Brooklyn Nets
Because it's already been reported that the Brooklyn Nets could emerge as a potential landing spot for Jimmy in free agency next summer, we have to include them on this list. The Nets are going to enter next offseason with plenty of cap space and could have a desire to make a big splash after what is likely going to be a "down" year.
To be perfectly honest, I'm not sure pursuing a move for Jimmy would be in the best interest of the Nets, but it could be a way for them to add more intrigue to what will likely be the early stages of a rebuild. You never know what next year can hold, but the Nets will have the potential to be big players next offseason.
LA Clippers
With as much uncertainty that revolves around the LA Clippers heading into the future, I suppose you can't completely discount them from being in the market for an All-Star talent like Jimmy Butler. Depending on how this season goes for the team, there's at least a shot that the Clippers end up exploring the possibility of retooling their core next summer. I'm not sure if pursuing a 35-year-old would be the best course of action but when have the Clippers operated on groupthink - just look what they did this past offseason when Paul George signed with the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Clippers could get to a point where they're ready to make another big splash after losing PG this summer. Even though Jimmy is nearing the end of his career, he could have just enough left in the tank to give the Clippers what they may need opposite of Kawhi Leonard and James Harden.
I'm not sure how the Clippers would get in Jimmy's market but you can never count out a team with Steve Ballmer as the owner.
Houston Rockets
If Jimmy Butler did want to end his career with some familiarity, I wouldn't count out the Houston Rockets. He is from Houston and played high school basketball in the area. Even though he went to college at Marquette, it would be quite a storybook ending for Jimmy to close the final few years of his NBA career where his basketball career started. Considering that heading into next offseason the Rockets could be ready to make a splash move as well, and it makes even more sense as to why Houston could be in play for Jimmy.
The Rockets will have cap space - especially with the big decision they have to make on Fred VanVleet - and could even work a sign-and-trade with the amount of young talent they have on their roster. I'm not sure if Jimmy on the Rockets moves the needle much for the franchise, but it's the type of move that could be at their disposal next summer.
Houston is certainly a name to keep an eye on as the early market for Jimmy begins to develop in the coming months.
Los Angeles Lakers
When it comes to a veteran star player who could hit the open market, you can't count out a team like the Los Angeles Lakers - especially if they fail to make a splash move at some point before the NBA Trade Deadline. There's a chance the Lakers could still be in the market for a player who could help put the team in a position to compete for a title in 2025-26. In that case, Jimmy could be viewed as a potential option. He fits the timeline next to LeBron James and if they could get him in free agency, or via sign-and-trade, he could make even more sense for a franchise that has been hesitant to give up trade assets.
I'm not sure how great of a basketball fit Jimmy would be next to LeBron and Anthony Davis but it would be foolish for a veteran team like the Lakers to not consider such a move if it became available to them.
Jimmy is likely going to want one more big payday next summer but if he'd be willing to take slightly less for a good shot at a championship, I can't help but wonder if he'd be open to doing so while teaming up with LeBron and AD.
Golden State Warriors
And finally, the Golden State Warriors have to be on this list. Earlier this offseason, there were whispers that the Warriors could be interested in Jimmy. I can't help but wonder if that will continue to be the case when Jimmy has the opportunity to test free agency next summer. Golden State isn't likely to have much money to spend on the open market but the team could work a sign-and-trade that includes one of their bigger contracts - perhaps even Andrew Wiggins if he's still on the roster at that point.
At least on paper, there's reason to believe that Jimmy would work in Golden State. They're one of the few teams that have more than enough shooting where Jimmy's shortcomings in that department wouldn't hurt much and they already have another established star in Steph Curry.
If Jimmy does move on from the Heat and does end up strongly considering a contender, the Warriors would be a landing spot that does make a ton of sense.
