For weeks, the Miami Heat and the Phoenix Suns have been trying to find third or even fourth teams that can facilitate a Jimmy Butler trade. In the past few days, the Toronto Raptors have emerged as a likely candidate to get things moving. Why would the Raptors do it? What would that trade look like? Let’s take a look.
Toronto Raptors Can Change the Butler Suns Trade Talks
ClutchPoints reported the scenario, which involved seven players and four teams. Besides the Heat and Phoenix, the scenario, according to sources woyld involve the Milwaukee Bucks and the Toronto Raptors.
The Bucks have been in talks about trying to get another star alongside Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo. And it seems they might succeed in that.
Here is the basis of the trade:
- Jimmy Butler to Phoenix
- Bruce Brown and Khris Middleton to Miami
- Bradley Beal and Kevin Love to Milwaukee
- Pat Connaughton and Bobby Portis to Toronto
Miami and Toronto will get draft compensation, but that has not yet been determined. Let’s dig deeper into this proposed Butler to Phoenix trade and how the Toronto Raptors can benefit from it.
How Many Picks Can Toronto and Miami Get?
The problem with this trade is that Milwaukee and Phoenix didn’t have many draft picks to offer. Things changed recently with Phoenix finding a way to get three first-round picks for one. But is it quality or quantity that teams want?
As of January 22, the Phoenix Suns can offer three first-round picks, in 2025, 2027, and 2029, and a second-round pick they acquired from the Charlotte Hornets in the Nick Richards trade. They also got reported development on Beal’s no-trade clause.
The Milwaukee Bucks can offer a first-round pick in 2031, and a second-round pick in 2031. Will that be enough to appease both the Heat and the Raptors?
Why Would the Toronto Raptors Facilitate a Butler Trade?
The Raptors can get at least one first-round pick for Bruce Brown, a player they got in the Pascal Siakam trade. The good news for the Raptors is that he recovered recently from a right knee surgery. He has appeared in only 10 games so far, but he has value around the league. There are many teams trying to get him, and if the Raptors don’t trade him now, they will lose him in the summer. Some teams hope he will hit the buyout market, but that is unlikely if he gets to Miami.
Brown has value around the league, and the Raptors can check whether they can get more than a single first-round pick for him, or a higher-quality pick. Right now, the picks that the Suns offer are low quality. They are the least favorable selections between Cleveland and Minnesota in 2025 (which may end up No.30), and then between Cleveland, Utah, and Minnesota in 2027 and 2029. The Cavs’ young core will likely remain together for another few years (four of them signed through 2027-28). Barring any injuries, the 2027 and 2029 picks will be in the 20-30 range.
Cap Implications for the Raptors
The two players that the Raptors will get in this deal make a combined $23 million. That is roughly the same as Brown, but the difference is they hold player options for next year. As of now, the Raptors have $150 million in salary committed for the 2025-26 season.
Right now, the cap for the 2025-26 season is not set. By the collective bargaining agreement, the cap should rise by 10%, meaning we will have a $154 million salary cap and $187.9 million luxury tax threshold in 2025-26.
Even with the player options for Portis and Connaughton, the Raptors will be below the luxury tax threshold. And if they pick up their player options, the Raptors can always flip them for more assets. Portis will turn 30 in February, while Connaughton just turned 32. They do not line with the Raptors’ timeline and their young star Scottie Barnes. So, they will probably be out of Toronto soon after the trade.
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