Breaking: Jimmy Butler send strong message to Heat fans shortly after Identifying Brooklyn Nets as preferred destination
Jimmy Butler must demonstrate that he’s worthy of a maximum contract extension, but the Miami Heat also need to prove they are the right fit for him.
If the Heat fail to even make the Play-In Tournament, the 34-year-old might consider leaving next offseason. One potential destination for Butler could be the Brooklyn Nets, who recently initiated their rebuild by trading Mikal Bridges to the New York Knicks.
According to Brian Lewis of the New York Post, “The chances of Butler picking up his player option are slim unless he secures a max deal with the Heat beforehand. The six-time All-Star is the most accomplished player on that list, excluding James, and he likes Brooklyn, sources close to him say.”
However, the idea of the Nets signing a veteran forward like Butler to a max extension immediately after starting a rebuild seems unlikely. A more logical approach would be to focus on building a strong core through trades and the NBA Draft.
Butler might only end up in Brooklyn if he’s more interested in mentoring a future superstar, such as incoming Duke Blue Devils freshman Cooper Flagg, who is projected to be the No. 1 pick in next year’s draft, rather than continuing to compete for an NBA championship.
Butler has a $52.4 million player option for the 2025-26 season and can opt out next summer to pursue free agency and sign a longer-term deal in Miami or elsewhere.
With at least $80 million in cap space expected next summer, the Brooklyn Nets, after trading Mikal Bridges and regaining many of their future draft picks, could be searching for a new face of the franchise.
Our two cents
Butler’s fondness for New York is well-known, as he often spends his offseasons there and has a social media partnership with New York-based ice cream brand Van Leeuwen. If Butler were to leave Miami, New York would be a logical destination given his business interests.
The real question, however, is whether the Nets have a strong interest in Butler. After starting their rebuild, how inclined would they be to offer a lucrative contract to a 36-year-old Butler? While they might consider fast-tracking their rebuild, they wouldn’t be in the same situation as the Philadelphia 76ers, who sought to pair a star player with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey this summer.
Even so, if Butler becomes a free agent next summer, the Nets can’t be entirely dismissed as a potential landing spot.