The possibility of the Miami Heat obtaining swingman Jimmy Butler may have just increased.
That’s because Butler’s current team, the Philadelphia 76ers, are apparently indicating that they’d be open to a sign-and-trade involving the veteran.
Sam Amick of The Athletic looked at the possible destinations of prospective free agents and wrote this about Butler’s situation:
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“As for the key question of whether the Sixers would be willing to cooperate in a possible sign-and-trade, a source with knowledge of their situation said it’s looking likely. There is, it seems, a strong desire to avoid losing him for nothing if Butler decides to head elsewhere.”
That could compel the Heat to make another effort at acquiring Butler after coming up short last year. Given their salary-cap constraints, the team really has no other way of acquiring the player who averaged 18.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists last season.
The 2018 effort ended when trade talks between the Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves for Butler broke down. That led the Timberwolves to then deal him to the Sixers.
Exactly who the Heat would be willing to trade is unknown, though their effort last year reportedly involved sending Josh Richardson and Kelly Olynyk, along with a future first-round pick to the Timberwolves.
The short time frame the 76ers have to make a deal before Sunday’s start of free agency could potentially put the Heat in a more advantageous position this time. However, Amick noted that the Heat would be competing with the Houston Rockets for Butler’s services.
