Ever since last night, the Miami Heat have been scrambling to complete a deal for star wing Jimmy Butler.
Late Monday afternoon, the Heat finalized the deal by sending recently acquired Maurice Harkless to the Los Angeles Clippers, who became the fourth team involved in the sign-and-trade deal with the Heat and Philadelphia 76ers.
Jimmy Butler deal is complete with Heat — with Clippers added as a fourth-team in trade that also includes Philadelphia and Portland, league sources tell @ZachLowe_NBA and me.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2019
The Heat are also sending a future first-round draft pick to the Clippers to sweeten the deal and ensure that no future hangups take place.
Miami is also sending a future first-round pick to the Clippers, league sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/q4cip3sR0X
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2019
As previously reported, Josh Richardson will still be headed to Philadelphia, which was the case in the previous iteration of the deal that fell apart last night.
The Sixers get Miami's Josh Richardson in the deal, too. And … Jimmy Butler gets his four-year, $142M max deal.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2019
This is a huge cause for celebration everywhere, as the Heat added the star that they have coveted for years.
Per some previous reports, the Heat are not yet done with their offseason dealings, with Washington Wizards star Bradley Beal also reportedly in their sights.
If they can get that deal done on top of a Butler trade, the Heat will be expected to compete for one of the top spots in the Eastern Conference for years to come.
