National Reporter Reveals Pat Riley’s Demand in Jimmy Butler Trade as Warriors Could Sacrifice 29-YO Star

The upcoming days could be the last one Jimmy Butler spends alongside the Miami Heat squad. Amidst reports of unruly behavior by the player that resulted in 3 separate suspensions, the NBA franchise has been actively searching for a trade for their star player. From former Warriors GM Bob Myers to Austin Rivers, everyone has discussed the effect that a Jimmy Butler acquisition can have on a particular franchise as several of them are touted as the player’s potential new home. While several factors would influence the final decision, one of them may be more important than the others.

ESPN fame Shams Charania recently joined Stephen A. Smith during a segment of ‘Feeling the Heat’. Charania was instrumental in speculating trade rumors for quite a while now. It was something that even Pat Riley came out to address. Therefore, he has had his eye on the ball for quite a while and would know the Miami Heat’s requirements at this crucial stage.

Addressing the same, he revealed that both Butler and the franchise are now aligned with the same goal, despite the recent weeks highlighting the difference between the two entities. While the Phoenix Suns & Golden State Warriors are two teams the front office has reportedly talked to, they would be open to any franchise that is willing to not stick the Heat with a long-term player.

“The Heat are motivated among interested teams what’s been described to me in league circles is that Heat are looking for shorter-term contracts, preferably guys in the last year of their deal or maybe one more year after this, as well as draft capital,” said Charania. “They have not yet received an offer that they want to move forward with”.

Reports about the Miami Heat seeking a short-term contract for Jimmy Butler have been existing since early January. Even before the situation between Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat deteriorated, ‘The Athletic’ reporter Sam Veceine released a report. In that, he stated that league sources agree on the need to not “take back a large amount of long-term money in a Butler deal.” Since Butler is playing under a 3-year, $146.396 million contract with a player option for the next season, his absence would leave a big enough gap in the salary cap to accommodate any star veteran or key player that could lead the franchise. After all, despite everything, Jimmy Butler is the face of the Miami Heat, which means that the player replacing him would have some big shoes to fill.

At the same time, however, any player who the Heat acquire should expect to maybe not be with the team for long. One reason behind this may be that with Butler being 35 years old, the player may not have stayed within the league itself for more than half a decade. This means that before long, the Heat would have undergone a rebuild.

The Butler trade was sprung suddenly on the Heat. The franchise may not want to infringe on its original plans by committing to a long-term player. The best way that allows them to find Butler his new home while giving the front office a breather to think is to take someone on a short-term basis. And who better to approach in such a scenario than someone whose contract is already expiring?

This demand would limit just how many teams could approach the Miami Heat to discuss a trade. After all, not everyone would have a key player who is nearing the end of his contract. Fortunately, the Golden State Warriors do, giving them a bargaining chip that puts them on top of the trade talks.

Warriors may involve Andrew Wiggins in a key three-team trade in the Jimmy Butler pursuit

Many teams are grappling with the worry of going above the Salary Tax or Apron limit. Therefore, the best option is to seek a trade deal between 3 or more teams. Such a proposal could open the path for the Golden State Warriors to experiment while also bringing in Jimmy Butler. According to Action Network’s Matt Moore,  29-year-old Andrew Wiggins could be sent to the Toronto Raptors. In exchange, Bruce Brown could go to the Miami Heat. This would leave the Florida franchise to send Butler to the Bay Area.

“If Wiggins does not sound like the ‘significant piece’ [Marc] Stein reported on to you, well, he’s not. But what he is a contract they can package with other things,” Moore wrote in one of his recent Substack newsletters.

Andrew Wiggins is currently playing under a 4-year, $109 million contract. He is set to receive a player option during the 2026-27 season. After that, Wiggins will become an unrestricted free agent. As for Bruce Brown, he had signed a 2-year, $45 million contract that does not contain the provision for a player option. This means that the player will anyway become an unrestricted free agent next season. Therefore, the Heat can play Brown out throughout the ongoing season and then look for a new player on the market.

Do you believe that a 3-team trade involving Andrew Wiggins would work? Let us know in the comments down below.