As uncertainty grows surrounding Jimmy Butler’s future with the Heat, several teams across the league are weighing the benefits of making a run for the veteran swingman. According to NBA insider Mike Scotto, two Texas teams are at the top of the list for Butler and will be waiting with an offer if he splits from the Heat.
“Within league circles, there’s been quiet discourse about whether the Houston Rockets or Dallas Mavericks will eventually land Butler, a Texas native, should he and Miami decide to part ways,” wrote Scotto. “For now, however, the Rockets are among the top teams with a young core, and the Mavericks remain a contender in the tightly competitive Western Conference. It’s also worth noting executives who’ve checked in on Butler got the impression that Miami wants to figure out their star’s future after the season.”
Butler, 35, is a 13-year NBA veteran who has played various stints over his career. His latest team, the Miami Heat, has come with the most success for Butler, having been to the Finals twice since 2020. For his career, he is averaging 18.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game on 47.1% shooting.
As one of the top two-way players in the game and an intense competitor, Butler is a favorite among the fans and he’s been viewed as the perfect star to lead the franchise’s legendary “Heat culture.”
But after several failed playoff runs and a declining performance in the regular season, there are rumblings that both sides are open to a breakup. With a $52.4 million player option for the 2025-26 campaign, Butler can opt out and become a free agent as early as July but the Heat could trade him sooner if they believe that he’s likely to leave.
In Texas, the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets are often at odds but they both have a major interest in Butler — a two-way veteran forward who will drastically raise their ceiling.
In the case of the Mavericks, Butler’s defensive versatility will fill an especially big need for the Mavericks and with Luka Doncic as his teammate, there would be enough spacing to get him some clean looks around the basket. If you add Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson to the equation, the Mavericks suddenly look like the most dangerous team in the West.
The Houston Rockets aren’t quite as stacked as the Mavericks, but they are currently 2nd in the West at 15-6. As winners of 8 in their last 10 games, the Rockets are very much on an upward trajectory, and adding a proven veteran like Butler would only enhance their young and versatile roster. He could help speed the development of Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., and Amen Thompson.
With the Heat at 9-10 so far this season, it’s too early to say which players will be available for them at the deadline but if Jimmy Butler isn’t in play then, he will almost surely be available in the summer when the Heat may finally be ready for a fresh start.
Until then, Butler is going to keep fighting with his current team and he’s not going to let petty distractions pull him away from his quest for a title.
The next test for Butler and his team is on Wednesday, December 4th, against the Los Angeles Lakers at 7:3 0 PM EST. They have the next two nights off before a showdown against the Phoenix Suns on the 7th, at 8:00 PM EST. It’s the first part of a back-to-back set at Kaseya Center which ends against the Cavaliers on Sunday.
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