The Milwaukee Bucks might have the game-changing opportunity to acquire Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat this season, as the disgruntled star continues to look for a new home in the NBA.
It was earlier reported by Chris Haynes that the Bucks were told to not make an offer for Butler, but The Athletic’s Sam Amick has confirmed that the Bucks have not been warned against trading for Butler.
“It remains unclear which teams are truly willing to get into the Butler business, two league sources insisted that the Milwaukee Bucks have not, contrary to reports, been told by Butler’s camp that he doesn’t want to play there.”
Haynes had reported that the Bucks along with the Memphis Grizzlies were told by Butler’s camp that he isn’t interested in a move to their franchise earlier in January.
“Leaked sources relayed to me that the Memphis Grizzlies, along with a few other teams have received word that Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler has no interest in being traded there.”
Other teams have also been ruled out according to various reports which include the Denver Nuggets and Sacramento Kings. Amick made it a point to communicate that the Bucks haven’t been warned against a Butler trade, with the status of the other franchises unclear.
Butler is averaging 17.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.7 assists this season in a down year. While his numbers are bad because of his low motivation, the Bucks would be a fantastic challenge for Butler as he’d be the perfect third man beside Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard.
How The Bucks Can Pull Off A Jimmy Butler Trade
Butler might have low trade value but the Bucks are one of the most depleted franchises in the NBA when it comes to future assets. They don’t control any of their picks until 2031 after acquiring Damian Lillard last season. Lillard’s supermax contract paying him $48.7 million this season also makes them a second-apron team, as Giannis is also on a max contract.
The other high-earner for the Bucks is Khris Middleton, who’s making $31.6 million this season. The Bucks would have to use him to make a trade happen, as there is no way to make Butler’s salary acquireable without Middleton. This will be a blow to the franchise, as Middleton has been on the franchise since 2013, serving as the longest-tenured Buck alongside Giannis.
The Bucks will have to get creative in making a financially sound offer for Butler. Alongside Butler, they’ll either have to include both Bobby Portis Jr. and Pat Connaughton to just Brook Lopez to reach the required salary for a trade. In addition, they’ll need to match the player count from both ends as they can’t acquire one player while sending out two under the new apron rules.
The Bucks can offer a 2031 first-round pick swap and their 2031 second-round pick as assets, but they might not have to use them given Butler’s low market value. His only other major suitor is the Phoenix Suns, a team with equally disadvantaged assets if not worse.
They should consider this trade as Butler would be the perfect forward complement to Lillard and Antetokounmpo.
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