Trades involving NBA stars rarely come out of the blue. There is often a long process that leads to this – regardless of whether it takes place publicly or privately.

Last spring, Miami Heat president Pat Riley announced that the team would wait until the summer of 2025 to address star Jimmy Butler’s contract extension. That meant no extension before the current season. In return, Butler announced that he intended to forgo his player option for the 2025–26 season.

So here we are dealing with a star player who is no longer under contract after the current season, with both the team and the player passing up opportunities for an extension. Additionally, the Heat have indicated they would be willing to listen to trade offers for Butler.

Put all of that together and it’s a classic situation that leads to a trade. That’s why Butler was the star that much of the league watched over the course of the fall.

While there could be a few other All-Star players on the market – including Brandon Ingram and Zach LaVine – Butler has the most star power. If there is a team looking for a difference maker, Butler needs to be on their list. And that’s why Butler appears to be the early centerpiece of the trade season. –Brian Windhorst

Jump to a section:
Where Butler and Miami stand
Offers for DAL, GS, HOU, PHX
Wildcard teams with trade paths

Where are Butler and Miami now?

The Heat have a six-month window to decide Jimmy Butler’s future.