The Brooklyn Nets are in one of the more interesting places in the NBA. To some, they appear to be stuck. The Nets owe control of their first-round picks to the Houston Rockets through to 2027.
Meanwhile, the Nets are trending towards missing the playoffs in 2023-24. The Nets need to improve. Without control of their own draft, they’re not in an ideal position to rebuild.
All of which makes the Nets a strong candidate to trade for a star. With that said, the Nets don’t have the best offer on the market. If they’re going to trade for a star this summer, they may have to settle on an aging one. How about Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat?
NBA Trade Proposal
Miami Heat Receive: F/C Ben Simmons, F Dorian Finney-Smith, 2027 First-Round Pick (PHX via BKN), 2029 First-Round Pick (DAL via BKN)
Brooklyn Nets Receive: G/F Jimmy Butler
Without their picks, the Nets can’t tank. That may not be a problem in their eyes. Some teams will refuse to lose despite the benefits that come with tanking intentionally.
The Miami Heat have historically been one of those teams. The Heat don’t tank. They’re content to string together a couple of mediocre seasons. The Heat have confidence that, eventually, they’ll land top-end talent regardless.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat, Brooklyn Nets Updates
Of course, playing in South Beach helps. In theory, playing in Brooklyn should help, too. With that said, the Nets’ reputation may be damaged after the swift departures of Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving. Should they add Butler to their roster?
Why The Brooklyn Nets Do The Deal
Every team in the NBA uses its own lens. There’s a short-term, a medium-term, and a long-term. This deal could help the Nets no matter which lens they’re using.
In the short term, Butler should make them better. Sure, he’s aging. He’d still be this team’s best player. Butler’s ability to create shots for himself and his teammates should open up this offense.
He’ll join Nicolas Claxton and Cameron Johnson in the front court. With Mikal Bridges at the 2, the Nets will field one of the most versatile defenses in the league.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat, Brooklyn Nets Updates
In the long term? This is about rebuilding the Nets’ reputation. If they find some success with Butler, they should be able to attract other stars. Eventually, they’ll have their own picks back to trade for a star if need be.
Should the Heat help them improve their reputation?
Why The Miami Heat Do The Deal
The Heat don’t traditionally tank. That’s fair. At the same time, this team looks stuck. The Heat may have peaked when they advanced to the NBA Finals in 2022-23.
If they get back there this year, they won’t trade Butler. Otherwise, that’s something they’ll have to consider this summer. That doesn’t mean that Miami has to tank. This deal won’t require them to go against their long-standing principles.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat, Brooklyn Nets Updates
After all, Finney-Smith is a starting-caliber player. Pairing him with Bam Adebayo in the frontcourt should keep them relevant. In the meantime, they’ll have two new first-round picks to use to trade for a star. That could put Miami in a pretty interesting place.
