The Miami Heat have lowered their asking price on a trade for Jimmy Butler since they began entertaining offers in December and will almost certainly deal him away by the Feb. 6 trade deadine, reports Brian Windhorst. The Heat suspended Butler for the third separate time on Monday after he walked out of the team’s shootaround on Monday. Butler is suspended indefinitely and at least through the trade deadline.
Miami initially didn’t want to take back any salary for the 25-26 season and now are holding the line at salary for 26-27. Because the Heat have reduced what it would take to acquire Butler, more teams are now expected to enter the bidding process than just the Phoenix Suns. When Butler initially requested a trade, he had the Suns, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks on his wish list.
“Jimmy Butler is going to get traded,” said Windhorst. “I really am more sure than ever that’s going to happen. The Heat are really trying to make that happen. They have backed down on their asks to teams that they had two or three weeks ago when this whole saga really started. They’re willing to do more.
“I think that there is really a chance now… I think more teams are going to wade in here because the price on Butler is going to be lower than just the Phoenix Suns, which is the way it’s been.”
Windhorst also spoke about the extent of Butler’s feud with the Heat, which has been uniquely dramatic over the past few weeks, which has led to a situation where he could be traded at a reduced price.
“I do think there’s a chance that there’s a team out there that might be able to pick up a difference making player for relatively cheap in this next week,” said Windhorst. “Jimmy Butler’s price is at a point where more teams are in. There could be a bit of a power shift. I don’t think any of the top teams are going to get him. I think you’re looking at teams that are in the middle of the pack. Older teams teams that need a Hail Mary right now. That may be looking whether they can acquire him and so this could be a key turning point in this NBA season.”