Jimmy Butler Return to 76ers Seems Inevitable After Heat Rejects $113 Million Demand & Paul George Drifts Away

“We have not discussed that internally right now,” said Miami Heat president Pat Riley when asked about Jimmy Butler’s contract extension. Almost 5 years ago, the 76ers shipped Butler to Miami in a trade decision they possibly regret today. Currently on a $48.8 million contract for 2024-25 and with a player option for 2025-26, reports suggested Butler was expected to pursue a 2-year, $113 million contract extension with the Miami team this offseason. But it looks like that’s not going to happen. And, well, a return to the 76ers could very well be possible.

Jimmy Butler has been unavailable for over 100 games during the 5 seasons he has spent at the Miami Heat. Considering this, Pat Riley said, “That’s a big decision on our part to commit those kinds of resources unless you have somebody who’s going to be there and available every single night,” hinting at his reluctance to grant the 34-year-old the contract he wants. Reporting this, NBA journalist Howard Beck tweeted, “If the Heat grants [the extension], they’ll have little to no flexibility to add another star.” 

After the season it had, the Heat needs a lineup it can count on. The team used a franchise-high 35 starting lineups throughout the season, and Jimmy Butler didn’t feature in them during the playoffs after suffering a knee injury during a Play-In loss to the Sixers. Besides him, Terry Rozier missed a handful of games due to knee and neck injuries, too. But when we talk about Butler, where do the 76ers come into the picture?

Per the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Sixers consider Jimmy Butler an option to fall back on if their attempt to sign Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul George fails. Well, it looks like that’s also happened, and now, they could be desperate for a reunion with the Miami man. Per NBA reporter Shams Charania, the 76ers’ interest in George is vanquished. He wanted to sign a 4-year, $212.2 million contract, but the negotiations seem to have fallen off. 

Charania reported, “The Philadelphia 76ers’ interest in pursuing Paul George has significantly waned in recent days, and the franchise is expected to be aggressive elsewhere with its salary cap flexibility and draft capital leading into next week’s NBA Draft.” That said, the Philadelphia team centered itself around an injury-prone Joel Embiid, too. In that case, they may want someone reliable, just like the Heat. While Butler may not be that player, considering how this season played out, he might be one of their only options.

That said, the Philadelphia Inquirer also reported that the 76ers are ready to offer Butler a maximum salary extension if Miami does trade him. Having previously represented the Sixers from 2018 to 2019 for less than one full season. However, in that short time, he and Embiid became a duo that hasn’t been matched since. In fact, they came oh-so-close to reaching the Eastern Conference Finals that season had it not been for Toronto’s Kawhi Leonard’s four-bounce buzzer-beater in Game 7.

Seeing as Jimmy Butler has also led the Miami Heat to two Finals appearances in his five seasons there, he could be the player the 76ers need right now. And the Sixers have approximately $65 million in their cap to spare, which is more than enough for him on the team. That said, if the Heat does, in fact, not extend the 34-year-old’s contract, what other options does the 6-time All-Star have?

The Warriors could be an option for Jimmy Butler

In an interview with GQ earlier this year, Jimmy Butler revealed what he sees in his future with Miami. “I feel at home. I really care about the city, about the people in this city. Miami has embraced me. They’ve wanted me to bring them something (an NBA title) they haven’t done since LeBron, D-Wade, and C-Bosh [in 2013]. And I want to do that. As soon as I get this knee back right, I’m right back, and everybody know it.” However, if the extension doesn’t work out, he may have to look elsewhere.

While the 76ers would be open to a reunion, there are claims that the Golden State Warriors may want him on their roster as well. The Athletic’s Anthony Slater revealed, “If Brandon Ingram hits the trade market, I would not expect the Warriors to show interest. If the Heat shop Jimmy Butler, I would expect the Warriors to enter the conversation to at least some degree.”

With Klay Thompson’s unrestricted free agency, where he could possibly leave the Warriors, Jimmy Butler could potentially fill those shoes to become Stephen Curry’s right-hand man. Considering all this talk about their legacy and ability to win another championship, Butler’s trade may just work out like Kevin Durant’s did in 2016.

What do you think? Will the Heat give Jimmy Buckets an extension, or is a move to either the 76ers or the Warriors in the cards? Let us know in the comments!

But before leaving, check out some insight Shaquille O’Neal’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, shared about WNBA star rookies Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark.