There’s still a way for Jimmy Butler to end up with the Phoenix Suns with the help of the Golden State Warriors. There have been reports that the Warriors could help facilitate the trade so the Miami Heat can send Butler to Phoenix. According to The Athletic, Golden State’s Andrew Wiggins could be the key for the three-team trade to happen.
At first, the Warriors and the Heat had previously explored the notion. Butler, however, disapproved of the concept and put an end to the discussions surrounding it. But there’s a chance Miami may bring up the conversation again and close the deal.
“Both the Warriors and Suns have cluttered salary structures, but both ownership groups have shown a willingness to pay up for players they desire. The Warriors also have a potential path to help guide Butler to Phoenix, if they pull the trigger on an Andrew Wiggins-centric trade with Miami that has been discussed,” multiple NBA Insiders reported on The Athletic.
A three-team trade involving the Warriors, Heat, and Suns—sending Andrew Wiggins to the Heat and Jimmy Butler to the Suns—has been discussed, per @TheAthletic
“Both the Warriors and Suns have cluttered salary structures, but both ownership groups have shown a willingness to pay… pic.twitter.com/aVPYTVR6Q6
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) February 4, 2025
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst touched on the subject regarding the initial conversations between Golden State and Miami on Tuesday.
“Essentially, they’re trying to trade Andrew Wiggins and some draft picks that’s just not going to get him far,” Windhorst said. “I think Miami was willing to do that deal for Butler. Let’s see if by Thursday that gets revisited. Butler didn’t want it because he’s got an option in his contract, he has some measure of control.”
The Miami Heat were willing to trade Jimmy Butler for Andrew Wiggins and draft picks before Butler shut down the deal, per @WindhorstESPN
“I think Miami was willing to do that deal for Butler. Let's see if by Thursday that gets revisited.”
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) February 4, 2025
Wiggins has played well this season, compared to the previous campaign. Last season, his numbers were down and he played a few games off the bench. This time, he’s been a consistent part of the starting lineup, averaging 17.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists on 37.9% shooting from deep.
Warriors forward named as a player the Suns would covet
There have been rumors that the Suns are shopping Jusuf Nurkic to the Washington Wizards for Jonas Valanciunas. Additionally, the Warriors’ Draymond Green has been named as a player the franchise would covet in the trade market.
“In exploratory conversations, the Warriors have only been met with an exorbitant asking price in theoretical structures — essentially everything of future value — considering the tricky spot the Suns seem to find themselves. League sources say four-time All-Star forward Draymond Green, who has an established relationship with fellow Michigan State alum and Suns owner Mat Ishbia, is among the Warriors players Phoenix is known to covet,” The Athletic reported.
Draymond Green is a player the Suns would covet in trade talks with the Warriors, per @TheAthletic
“In exploratory conversations, the Warriors have only been met with an exorbitant asking price in theoretical structures — essentially everything of future value — considering the… pic.twitter.com/aTXkYQo3Kx
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) February 4, 2025
However, it remains unsure which player the team is willing to trade to acquire Green.
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Follow me on X at @BarbecueBro, and follow us at @HardwoodHeroics and @GridironHeroics. You can also reach out to Reign Amurao via email at reignamuraonba@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest sports news, click here!
Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen with Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
