Cross the Warriors off the list of potential Jimmy Butler suitors, at least for now.
Butler has communicated to the Warriors that he’s unwilling to sign an extension there. In response, trade talks between the Heat and Warriors have halted, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst tweets.
The Warriors are reportedly interested in making a significant move before the trade deadline and Butler was one of the logical candidates to fulfill that goal. However, it’s well-known that Butler wants to be dealt to the Suns, who are hamstrung in making a blockbuster move by being over the second tax apron.
The only way Phoenix can complete such a deal to allow Butler to join forces with Devin Booker and Kevin Durant would be to send out Bradley Beal‘s contract. Miami hasn’t shown any interest in acquiring Beal, who has two years remaining on his contract, including a $57.12MM option for the 2026/27 season. Beal also has a no-trade clause and would have to agree to waive it whether he was routed to Miami or a third party.
The Suns are the team still pushing the hardest to land Butler ahead of Thursday’s deadline, the Miami Herald’s Anthony Chiang reports. In any Butler trade, the Heat want to acquire at least one quality player who can help the team this season, Chiang adds.
Butler, who has been suspended indefinitely by Miami for repeated violations of team rules, holds a $52.4MM option on his contract for next season.
Golden State also seriously explored trade proposals to acquire both Zach LaVine and Nikola Vučevic from the Bulls before opting to pursue other deals, Marc Stein tweets. With LaVine on the move to Sacramento, that won’t happen.