While the Phoenix Suns remain his top desired destination, could another team actually have the best return pieces in a trade for Jimmy Butler, like the Washington Wizards? According to an NBA insider, while the Miami Heat continue to drag Butler along, so drags along the saga that reeks of discomfort and inconvenience for the Heat players. If a trade with the Suns fails, Pat Riley will have to look elsewhere to end this circus.
Wizards Trade for Jimmy Butler Would Make Sense for Miami
Could Pat Riley Find the Best Trade For Jimmy Butler with the Washington Wizards?
The Wizards is ‘not a bad move,’ says NBA insider Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints of Butler’s possible trade destination, which is expected to happen before next week’s trade deadline on February 6th. According to Siegel, an NBA executive initially presented the scenario as a joke. Perhaps he took the joke more seriously, leading to his comments regarding the Wizards as a good landing spot for Butler if the Suns fall through. Well, it may not be the best outcome for Butler, but it could be for Riley and the Heat.
“Could he go somewhere else? That’s up to Pat Riley and his front office if they’re willing to take anything to get rid of him. It won’t happen but I kind of like the idea of Miami moving him to the Wizards for [Kyle] Kuzma and ]Malcolm] Brogdon.
Credit to Siegel—the trade-off isn’t bad at all. Kyle Kuzma, who may be searching for an exit from Washington, would provide Miami with a scoring jolt and offensive threat. And Malcolm Brogdon, former sixth-man-of-the-year, would provide reliable backup point guard play off the bench. The return for Miami in this hypothetical deal would make Miami the winner, at least compared to Butler’s concluding circumstance. He would draw the short end of the stick by being traded to the Wizards, who are far and away the worst team in the league. Is it in Riley to reward Butler’s antics by making a move such as this? Maybe, but it sure would provide a comical twist on the story, that’s for sure.
A Win for Miami, but Not A Championship Contention Win
It is unlikely that Miami and Washington will come together on this “joke” of a trade. Still, Riley would be applauded for making it. Unfortunately, the Heat would likely remain where they are, if not slightly better, in the standings despite the pieces they receive back for Butler. In other words, it’s not a championship-defining move. Miami would likely still be fighting for play-in contention rather than playoff contention.
Suppose Miami fails to acquire another star, or superstar, in a trade for Butler. In that case, Riley will look to the offseason to revamp his roster, focusing on Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro. It’s one of the reasons that Butler is reportedly unhappy with the Heat to begin with. Apart from contract extension issues, Miami’s attention on those two players as opposed to himself hurt the process further. Adding Kuzma and Brogdon would be a favorable return for Miami. However, it does not propel them in the East significantly. However, it would conclude this painful sage between the organization and Butler, which would be seen as the biggest plus.
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