Jimmy Butler has two years left on his $146.4 million, three-year contract. The last year is a player option, and many believe he will opt out.
Possible Free Agency
Butler, now 34, might become an unrestricted free agent after this season and leave the Miami Heat without any compensation if they can’t agree on an extension. Recent reports from Brian Lewis of the New York Post suggest Butler is interested in joining the Brooklyn Nets.
“The odds of him picking up his player option are slim unless he agrees to a max deal with the Heat beforehand,” Lewis wrote. “The six-time All-Star is the most accomplished standout on that [free agent] list not named [LeBron] James, and he likes Brooklyn, according to sources close to the player.”
Brooklyn’s Rebuild
Brooklyn is rebuilding its roster. Trading Mikal Bridges to the Knicks has given them many draft picks and young talent.
This flexibility makes Brooklyn appealing to Butler. On Saturday, Lewis reiterated Butler’s interest in Brooklyn by noting how fond he is of a potential move.
“Butler isnโt just open to Brooklyn but fond of it,” sources told The Post. “Now, heโs not a Net and might never get close to becoming one. But dismissing this possibility outright would be foolish.”
https://nypost.com/2024/09/07/sports/could-jimmy-butler-and-the-nets-have-a-future-together/
Financial Flexibility
Brooklyn could easily afford Butler’s salary next summer. According to John Hollinger from The Athletic, the Nets could have between $44M and $65M in cap space next summer.
“The Mikal Bridges trade clearly put the Nets in a new phase,” Hollinger reported. “That likely involves wielding cap space in the summer of 2025; right now, theyโre projected to have between $44 million and $65 million and could easily open up more by making trades involving Cam Johnson, Dorian Finney-Smith and others after getting back their 2025 and 2026 first-round draft picks from Houston Rockets this summer.”
In theory, Butler moving to the Nets next summer would benefit everyone involved: Miami can rebuild around Bam Adebayo; Butler gets another chance to lead a team; and Brooklyn gets a star player to attract more talent.
Fans think it’s exciting!
However, there’s concern about Butler’s age as he’s showing signs of slowing down. If Brooklyn can’t build a contending roster quickly around him within his first couple of years there, it might not make sense for them long-term.
Still, passing up an opportunity like signing Butler would be tough for any team. Miami must decide soon as time runs out
