Jimmy Butler trade grades for Warriors, Heat
Jimmy Butler got what he wanted – out of Miami.
The Heat washed their hands clean of Butler, who they suspended three times in January for conduct detrimental to the team.
In a complex four-team trade, the Golden State Warriors acquired Butler from Miami which received Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson and a protected 2025 pick from the Warriors. Golden State sent Dennis Schroder to the Utah Jazz which moved P.J. Tucker to Miami. Detroit facilitated the trade, getting Josh Richardson from Miami and Lindy Waters III from Golden State.
It’s possible the trade expands.
But the heart of the deal is Golden State getting Butler, who agreed to a two-year, $121 million extension with the Warriors through 2026-27, and Miami moving on from a difficult situation.
Grading the Heat-Warriors trade
Golden State: B+
The Warriors get an engaged Butler, and an engaged 35-year-old Butler can still produce offensively and defensively. While getting Butler to Phoenix was a hot topic and perhaps his main objective, Butler never ruled out going to Golden State, which is trying to make another title run with Steph Curry. Plus, the Warriors didn’t give up Jonathan Kuminga in a trade, and are locked into Butler long-term.
This season, Butler had a reduced role with the Heat as Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro become the focal points offensively. Butler still produced solid statistics, averaging 17.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.1 steals while shooting 54% from the field, 36.1% on 3-pointers and 80.1% on free throws. He will have a larger offensive role with Golden State. And its 19th-ranked offense needs improvement.
Butler will help the Warriors’ No. 9 defense, as well. The 10th-place Warriors are 25-24 and battling for a postseason spot in the West. After a promising 12-3 start, the Warriors are 13-21.
Miami: B+
At the very least, the Heat’s Butler saga is over – they needed it to be over – and now they can focus on the rest of the season, a season in which fourth place in the East is not out of the question for a 25-24 team that is in seventh place. Wiggins is having a solid season at 17.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.
The Heat, which didn’t have a ton of leverage given Butler’s preferred destinations, also got a first-round pick out of it. It’s protected 1-10 in 2025 which means the Heat likely will get to use it in the June draft and depending on how Golden State finishes, it could be a lottery pick.
Miami had a brief chat with Phoenix about trading for Suns star Kevin Durant, but Phoenix still wants to win with Durant on the roster. Short of that kind of deal, the Heat managed to get another wing scorer and defender who can help now and what looks like a top-20 first-round pick in less than ideal circumstances.
Wiggins has two years and $58.3 million remaining on his contract. However, he has a player option on 2026-27 and can become a free agent in the summer of 2026.
Utah and Detroit
There are no grades for Utah and Detroit; both teams helped Miami and Golden State get a deal done. Richardson and Waters are on expiring contracts so the Pistons don’t take on any long-term money, and the Jazz could end up trading Schroder for second-round picks.
Follow NBA reporter Jeff Zillgitt on social media @JeffZillgitt
