The Miami Heat are searching for a way to initiate a sign-and-trade deal with the Philadelphia 76ers for two-way star Jimmy Butler.
According to previous reports, Butler and the Heat are meeting this Sunday, and according to a more recent revelation, the veteran is expected to tell team officials tonight that he wants to play in Miami.
[xyz-ihs snippet=”HN-300×250-Image”]
Butler has had an interesting past few seasons. He was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves from the Chicago Bulls prior to the 2017-18 season. That pairing lasted only one full season, however, and early in the 2018-19 season, Butler was shipped off to Philadelphia when trade talks between the Wolves and Heat broke down.
Now, with Butler set to become an unrestricted free agent in just hours, the Heat are searching for a way to get the 76ers to agree to sign Butler to a long-term deal and then trade him to Miami for a package that would likely include several members of Miami’s young core.
Butler is set to turn 30 years old before the beginning of the 2019-20 campaign, but has shown no real signs of slowing down. Last season he averaged 18.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game. He has also proven to be a player that thrives under pressure and is always ready to take a would-be game-winner.
The Heat have coveted Butler for some time now. It will be fascinating to see if this is the moment that they are able to get a deal done and bring a fully fledged star back to South Florida.
[xyz-ihs snippet=”HN-300×250-TextnImage”]
