Just over a year removed from Jimmy Butler’s blockbuster move to the Golden State Warriors, we’re now learning that the Miami Heat may have been ready to move on from their six-time All-Star much earlier than anyone realized. According to a recent report, the Heat explored trading Butler immediately after their 2023 NBA Finals appearance - a stunning revelation considering the level he was playing at during that postseason run.
The report, shared by longtime NBA insider Ethan Skolnick, suggests that Miami quietly shopped Butler in the summer of 2023. While no deal materialized at the time, the mere fact that the Heat were open to moving their franchise centerpiece so soon after a Finals appearance speaks volumes about the internal dynamics at play.
Let’s rewind for a second. In the 2023 playoffs, Butler was nothing short of sensational.
Before suffering an injury in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, he was torching opponents to the tune of 37.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.8 steals per game - on an eye-popping 59.7% from the field, 44.4% from three, and 70.8% at the line. That’s not just elite production - that’s the kind of performance that cements legacies.
Across the entire postseason, Butler averaged 26.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1.9 steals while posting a 56.4% true shooting percentage. He was the engine behind Miami’s improbable Finals run, and at that point, he was just entering the first year of a three-year, $146 million extension he had signed back in 2021.
So why would the Heat consider moving him?
It likely came down to foresight and financial flexibility. Butler was heading into his age-34 season, and while his production hadn’t dipped, the Heat may have been wary of committing long-term to a player whose rugged, high-usage style has always come with durability concerns. Fast forward to the summer of 2024, and that concern became a reality - with Miami declining to offer an extension and ultimately shipping him to Golden State in a five-team deal.
In hindsight, the Heat front office may have been trying to sell high. Butler’s trade value was likely at its peak following that Finals run, and if they weren’t going to extend him, it made sense to explore options.
What’s surprising is that, according to the report, they couldn’t find a deal that met their expectations. That’s a tough needle to thread - balancing respect for a franchise cornerstone with the cold calculus of roster management.
It’s worth noting that this wasn’t a new revelation from Skolnick. He’s mentioned the post-Finals trade discussions before, but the topic resurfaced in a recent podcast appearance with ESPN’s Jorge Sedano. The context adds even more intrigue to the Heat’s eventual decision to part ways with Butler a year later.
Ultimately, Miami did what many front offices struggle to do: make a difficult decision before being forced into one. Butler gave the Heat everything he had - grit, leadership, and unforgettable playoff moments. But when the writing was on the wall and an extension wasn’t in the cards, the Heat pivoted.
What’s still unclear is what kind of offers were on the table back in 2023. Given Butler’s postseason heroics and the fact that he was under contract, it’s hard to imagine the market was dry. More likely, the Heat didn’t see a return that matched what Butler meant to the franchise - both on the court and in the locker room.
Now, with Butler in Golden State and Miami charting a new course, we’re left wondering what could’ve been if the Heat had pulled the trigger earlier. But that’s the NBA - timing is everything, and even the best-laid plans often hinge on a single decision.