It’s no secret that the Miami Heat are shopping around Jimmy Butler, but where will Butler land?
The sexiest names on the market for Butler are the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers, but don’t rule out the last Western Conference team to win a title — the Denver Nuggets.
On Friday, Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey outlined what a Butler deal would look like for the Nuggets: Michael Porter Jr., Pelle Larsson, Dario Šarić, Zeke Nnaji, and three first-round pick swaps (2026, 2030, 2031).
“Right now, despite having the clear and almost consensus best player in the world in Nikola Jokić, the Denver Nuggets don't look like a title contender,” Bailey said.
“That probably has more to do with Jamal Murray not playing like a max player than it does with Michael Porter Jr., but the former isn't tradable this season (because of when he signed his max extension).”
“So, if the Nuggets are going to go after Jimmy Butler, who could be the biggest name available on the trade market between now and February, it will almost certainly cost them MPJ. And that's a real cost.”
“At 26, Porter is nine years younger than Butler, and a lack of three-point volume is one of Denver's current biggest issues. MPJ leads the team in three-point attempts and is shooting 38.8 percent from deep. Butler isn't replacing that.”
“In a vacuum, though, even at his age, Butler is the better player. In fact, he might be the best player Jokić has ever played with (with the possible exception of the postseason version of Murray).”
“Butler's cutting, slashing and playmaking ability would make him a good fit alongside the three-time MVP. He'd up the team's defensive potential, too.”
“For the Heat, this seems like a deal that some other suitor would be able to beat. Most of Denver's trade capital has already been spent. But Butler's age could suppress his market a bit. And Miami might determine that three first-round pick swaps are more valuable than a single first-rounder from someone else.”
“This also gets Miami out of Butler's upcoming contract negotiations without necessarily conceding a playoff appearance.”
“In the wake of a deal like this, the Heat could use Bam Adebayo as even more of a playmaking hub while surrounding him with the outside shooting of Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson and MPJ.”
Should Miami seriously consider a deal like this from the Nuggets, or should they focus on other suitors amid the Butler sale?
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