The Jimmy Butler drama isn’t slowing down, and with the 2025 NBA trade deadline just over a week away, it’s only getting wilder. Miami looks ready to move on, already deep in trade talks with multiple teams. At this point, it’s not a matter of if Butler gets dealt—it’s when. His ideal landing spot? The Phoenix Suns. And let’s be real, he’s probably making that very clear behind the scenes.
Phoenix is pushing hard to get a deal done, but there’s one massive roadblock: Bradley Beal. The Suns need to find a team willing to take on his contract, and since he has a full no-trade clause, he basically controls where (or if) he goes. But the Golden State Warriors have entered the race for Butler.
And Draymond Green’s nightmare could come true. “That means either you got to trade Jimmy straight up for Steph. Yeah. Or you have to trade Jimmy for me and Wigs and it’s like right, so I don’t think you’re going to do that.” Green had said on his podcast. While Green said this to explain the financial terms it could become reality. There’s a trade idea floating around that could shake things up—Jimmy Butler to the Warriors, Bruce Brown heading to Miami, and Andrew Wiggins landing in Toronto as per @HPbasketball.
There’s a potential three-team trade framework that could send Jimmy Butler to Golden State, Andrew Wiggins to Toronto, and Bruce Brown to Miami, per @HPbasketball
“One framework two sources described as Golden State’s ‘hope’ involved Andrew Wiggins going out in the deal,… pic.twitter.com/bkLV1nGe0k
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 29, 2025
Yeah, it’s got a lot of moving parts, but that’s how these things go.
Golden State’s main play here? Finding a way to offload Wiggins. According to @HPbasketball, their “hope” is to send him directly to Toronto or move him through Miami for Brown. Now, if you’re wondering whether Wiggins is that “significant piece” Marc Stein mentioned—spoiler alert, he’s not. But his contract? That’s the real asset. It gives the Warriors a way to stack up other pieces and actually make this deal happen.
So what will it take for the Warriors to get the 6x All-Star?
The Warriors front office is serious in signing Jimmy Butler
Jimmy Buckets’ situation in Miami is getting messier by the day, and as his value drops, Golden State’s interest is creeping back up. Their season hasn’t gone as planned, and even owner Joe Lacob seems more open to making a splash.
For now, team sources claim there’s nothing serious with Miami. But according to The Athletic’s Anthony Slater and Marcus Thompson II, the front office is intrigued by the idea of getting Butler at a bargain. The real question? Whether adding him is worth the risk. The Warriors need another star next to Steph, but Butler could decline his player option this summer and walk.
To make the money work, Golden State would likely have to move Wiggins and at least two others—Gary Payton II, Kyle Anderson, Buddy Hield, or Kevon Looney. Jonathan Kuminga? Off-limits. Would that package be enough for Miami? Maybe, maybe not.
Nov 22, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) reacts with guard Jimmy Butler (23) during the third quarter against the Orlando Magic at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Golden State could also shift gears and go for Zach LaVine instead. Some in the organization see him as the safer bet—he’s younger and cheaper this season, though his long-term contract and injury history raise concerns.
Butler is the better two-way player and has real playoff experience. Either way, standing pat isn’t an option. Sitting outside the Play-In race, the Warriors need a move. Whether it’s Butler, LaVine, or another deal, something has to change.
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