The Golden State Warriors are off to a surprising 8-2 start to the 2024-25 NBA season and find themselves atop the standings in the Western Conference. While the Warriors’ hot start has their fans dreaming of another championship run, it’s unlikely they’ll win it all without having another star next to Stephen Curry.
The Warriors tried to land one this past offseason, as they looked into acquiring Paul George and Lauri Markkanen. They failed in their quest to land either of the two and looked set to have a somewhat disappointing 2024-25 campaign, but that’s not been the case. It’s been an incredible start and a big move might be in order to build on that and become serious contenders.
Meanwhile, out East, the Miami Heat have gotten off to a 4-5 start. The Heat were one of the best teams in the conference over the last four years but it appears their days of being a serious title contender with this core are now over. So, it might be time to part ways with Jimmy Butler, who can be a free agent next summer. According to Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report, the Warriors are the ideal landing spot for Butler and I think they have a good package that would help Miami restructure that roster as well.
Trade Details
Golden State Warriors Receive: Jimmy Butler
Miami Heat Receive: Jonathan Kuminga, Andrew Wiggins, Kevon Looney, Gary Payton II, 2025 First-Round Pick
While some might think that’s not enough for a star like Butler, there are plenty of reasons why his value isn’t as high as you might think. For starters, he can leave in free agency next year by opting out of his player option. Secondly, Butler is 35 years old and has a bit of an injury history. So, it’s a risk for any team to trade for him but it might be a worthwhile risk for the Warriors.
The Warriors Land A Real Superstar
By acquiring Butler, the Warriors would get what they’ve been in desperate need of over the last two years, a consistent scoring option in the playoffs next to Curry. They came up well short in their title defense in 2023 because the likes of Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, and Jordan Poole failed to step up.
Curry not having enough help in the postseason isn’t something the Warriors would have to worry about if they have Butler. He averaged 27.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.9 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game over his last two playoff runs with the Heat.
Butler hasn’t gotten off to a great start this season, with averages of 16.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game, but he has shown by now that you can rely on him to take things up a notch come the playoffs. He also remains a good defender and would form quite the defensive duo with Draymond Green.
My big concern is the injuries and Butler is currently out with an ankle injury, but I think it’s a risk the Warriors have to take. As great of a start as this is, they absolutely need another star next to Curry if they want to win another title.
The Warriors are giving up a lot of solid pieces to acquire Butler here as well, but they are one of the deepest teams in the NBA. Head coach Steve Kerr has struggled to give minutes to everyone and this would solve that small problem as well.
The Heat Avoid The Risk Of Losing Jimmy Butler For Nothing And Restructure Their Roster
Butler has stated he would like to stay with the Heat, but the fact remains he can opt out of his $52.4 million player option for 2025-26 and leave for nothing in the summer. That would be a devastating blow and by shipping him out now, they ensure they get some value in return for him. As for what they’re getting, let’s have a deeper look at the pieces.
Jonathan Kuminga is certainly the biggest asset of the lot. Kuminga is averaging 14.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game in 2024-25. In the past, the Warriors had been very hesitant to part with the 22-year-old but that doesn’t appear to be the case anymore.
The two sides failed to agree on an extension this past offseason and Kuminga has been moved to the bench as well now. This has never quite looked like a happy marriage and I think a parting of ways might turn out to be best for both parties.
Kuminga has a high upside and the Heat are the perfect landing spot for him to fulfill his potential. I think he could turn out to be a fine two-way player under head coach Erik Spoelstra’s guidance.
Andrew Wiggins, meanwhile, has experienced a bit of a revival after two poor seasons. Wiggins is averaging 15.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game in 2024-25. He has struggled a bit with his shot, but has played great defense and would help maintain the Heat’s defensive identity.
Kevon Looney, who is averaging 5.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game, and Gary Payton II, who is putting up 5.5 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game, are the other two heading to the Heat in this trade and are pretty good backup options to have.
A Win-Win Trade?
It isn’t often that a trade goes down as a win-win, but this one might well be it. For the Warriors, it maximizes their chances of winning a championship in Curry’s final years in the NBA. They avoid losing established players like Green and Buddy Hield in this move and also retain promising youngsters like Brandin Podziemski and Trayce Jackson-Davis.
You could argue they should wait to see if someone like Giannis Antetokounmpo becomes available, but I don’t think they have the assets to land him. Even if they do somehow get it done, their roster would have been completely gutted and that’s not ideal. I don’t think Butler guarantees them a title but he does give them a decent shot at winning.
For the Heat, this move allows them to build a team that fits Bam Adebayo’s timeline. They’re not going to be competing for the title this year with Butler and moving him on to be in a better position a couple of years down the road might well be the way to go.
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