After much drama in Miami, it seems like a Jimmy Butler trade could be back on the table. Butler’s suspension could signal that the end of the Butler era in Miami could be near. Butler has been linked to multiple teams in NBA trade rumors over the last few weeks. There have been talks of him joining the Warriors, Suns, Rockets, and many others. Recently, a new team has emerged as a potential Buttler suitor. Evan Sidery from Forbes reported that one team to keep an eye on is the New Orleans Pelicans. A Butler Pelicans trade would probably not be at the top of his list, but Butler getting suspended shows that he may be losing leverage in his trade demands.
A New Team Emerges For A Potential Butler Trade
Jimmy Butler Suspension
After Pat Riley definitively said that the Heat were not going to trade Butler, many closed the door on the star being shipped out of South Beach. Now, after he was suspended seven games without pay for “conduct detrimental to the organization” and the Heat acknowledging Butler’s trade request it’s clear he’s back on the market.
This of course will reignite Jimmy Butler trade rumors for multiple teams. Unfortunately, one of the hardest parts about trading for Butler is his enormous contract. Shams Charania reported that the main teams Butler was interested in were the Warriors, Mavericks, Rockets, and Suns. The reality for Butler and the Heat is that if one of those teams could have made a solid offer for Butler then Riley probably would have never announced that he was not on the trading block.
Pelican Trade Rumors
The fact that there hasn’t been a Jimmy Butler trade yet means anything is still possible. One team that could take advantage of this is the New Orleans Pelicans. The Pelicans have also been linked to rumors that their 22 point-per-game scoring forward Brandon Ingram is on the trading block.
The Pelicans have the contracts and assets to match Butler’s huge contract. Ingram makes $36 million, and CJ McCollum, Zion Williamson, and Dejounte Murray are just a few other Pelicans that have sizable contracts as well. Theoretically, the Pelicans and Heat could work with a third team to get Butler to a different destination. Sidery mentions this possibility in his report. The Pelicans could get off Ingram’s contract and lean into a tanking season. The Heat could get rid of their disgruntled superstar and get talent in return. If the Pelicans chose to pursue Butler instead, they could make a desperation run to salvage their cursed season.
Ingram Butler Trade
Although when he has been healthy Ingram has played well this season, he has missed the last two weeks with an ankle sprain. He has been on the trade block likely since the summer. He and the Pelicans were unable to agree on an extension.
Butler has also missed chunks of the season due to injury. Now he is having issues seeing eye-to-eye with his organization. The similarities in these two situations make the idea of these two being a part of a trade for one another seem like a definite possibility.
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