Miami Heat Erik Spoelstra. With just nine days left until the trade deadline, the Miami Heat have reportedly reduced their asking price for Jimmy Butler, potentially reigniting interest from a team that had previously been involved in discussions.
NBA insider Kevin O’Connor reports that the Golden State Warriors have re-entered negotiations for Butler. The Warriors were originally on Butler’s list of preferred destinations when he first sought a trade from Miami. Although head coach Steve Kerr and several players have expressed a desire to maintain the current roster rather than making an aggressive move, the team’s struggles as the 11th seed—combined with a lack of support around Stephen Curry—have shifted the conversation. Miami Heat Erik Spoelstra
Warriors Reignite Trade Talks for Jimmy Butler
Dealing with injuries and inconsistent performances from key contributors, Golden State faces a significant challenge in acquiring one of the league’s premier stars. As Tim Kawakami has pointed out, any potential trade would likely center on Andrew Wiggins for salary-matching purposes. However, this comes with complications: the Warriors appear hesitant to build a deal around Wiggins, and the Heat may be reluctant to take on his contract.
Wiggins is signed for two more years, earning $28.2 million in the 2025-26 season—an amount many consider an overpayment for a player averaging 17.1 points per game. Given Butler’s $48.5 million annual salary, even top contenders have struggled to put together a trade package without involving a third team. To make a deal work, the Warriors would likely need to include Jonathan Kuminga, Gary Payton II, and Kyle Anderson alongside Wiggins, while Miami would send Butler and Josh Richardson in return. Miami Heat Erik Spoelstra
For the Heat, moving Butler before the February 6 deadline would likely require them to take on an additional player to balance salaries. While a trade to Golden State would provide the Warriors with much-needed scoring and a boost for their playoff hopes, internal debates about the team’s direction raise questions about whether they can still make a meaningful push to maximize Curry’s championship window.
