At this point in the NBA season, all we can do is wait and see. The deadline has passed. There are some contributors on the buyout market, but otherwise, each team in the league knows who they are.
Who are the Sacramento Kings? They look like dark horse title contenders. Some thought the Kings would make a blockbuster move at the deadline for a star player. In the end, they effectively stood pat.
By contrast, the Miami Heat made a major move this year. They acquired Terry Rozier. Unfortunately, they haven’t looked like title contenders since landing Rozier. Could they send Jimmy Butler to the Kings if they fall short of expectations this year?
NBA Trade Proposal
Miami Heat Receive: F Harrison Barnes, G/F Kevin Huerter, F/C Trey Lyles, 2026 First-Round Pick (SAC), 2028 First-Round Pick (SAC)
Sacramento Kings Receive: G/F Jimmy Butler
All we can do is wait and see. Sure, we can make projections. In the end, it’s likely that a team will make us look foolish.
Look at last year’s Heat squad. They barely made the playoffs. The Heat had to fight their way into the postseason via the play-in tournament. Surely they wouldn’t advance to the NBA Finals, right?
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat, Sacramento Kings Updates
Wrong. That’s exactly what Miami did. So, we shouldn’t make assumptions about what they’ll accomplish this season. For argument’s sake, let’s assume they fall short of expectations. Should the Heat move Butler?
Why The Miami Heat Do The Deal
Was last year’s performance indicative of Miami’s potential? Or, was it a high-end outcome? Miami rode some hot shooting to the Finals. What are the odds that they’ll get back there in 2023-24?
Let’s assume they don’t. In that event, it could be time to bring a close to the Butler era. Miami will have taken him as far as he’s likely to get with this roster. It could be time for Miami to look toward the future.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat, Sacramento Kings Updates
In that event, this deal would be helpful. The Heat are landing a pair of unprotected first-round picks here. That’ll help them shape their roster around Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro. Should the Kings help them rebuild?
Why The Sacramento Kings Do The Deal
We don’t know how far the Kings may go this year either. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. If this team makes a Finals run, they won’t want to give up assets for Butler.
Again – let’s assume that they don’t. Defense will likely be to blame. Domantas Sabonis struggles to defend the rim. The Kings would do well to surround him with defensive wings.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat, Sacramento Kings Updates
Butler remains one of the best defensive wings in the NBA. He’ll also add some secondary playmaking behind Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox. This could be the deal that puts the Kings over the top – if they haven’t already gotten there, of course.
