Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler's willingness to leave Miami doesn’t appear to be all that massive right now but the Philadelphia 76ers are getting ready for a potential change in that situation.
If Butler does force his way out, the 76ers are reportedly willing to offer him a maximum contract extension.
Now, there are at least two other teams that would be willing to do the same as the 76ers, per Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald:
“Along with the 76ers, according to league sources, there are two other teams that have made it known in league circles that they would be willing to trade for Butler and sign him to a max-level contract. Butler turns 35 on Sept. 14.”
It's unclear which two teams Chiang is alluding to when he reports that other teams beyond the 76ers are willing to trade for and extend Butler.
Butler and his camp have been pushing for a contract extension this offseason amid his publicly stated desire to finish his career with the Heat.
The two-year max extension that Butler wants includes salaries of $54.3 million for the 2025-26 season and $58.6 million for the 2026-2027 season when Butler will be 37 years old. He’s already under contract with the Heat on a $48.8 million salary for next season. So essentially, Butler will ask the Heat to replace the two years and $101.2 million remaining on his contract with a three-year commitment worth $161.7 million.
76ers pursuing Jimmy Butler after another solid season for Heat?
It was not the ideal year for Butler and the Heat. They were crumbling in late-game situations and their depth clearly was not there during the regular season. Add the fact that he also sprained his MCL in the NBA Play-In Tournament and it made for a season-ending disaster.
Before going down, Butler averaged 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, five assists and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 49.9 percent from the field, 41.4 percent from three-point range and 85.8 percent from the foul line. He was one of only five players around the NBA this regular season who averaged more than 20 points per game while shooting better than 49 percent from the field, 41 percent on threes and 85 percent from the foul line along with Kevin Durant of the Phoenix Suns, Kyrie Irving of the Dallas Mavericks, Kawhi Leonard of the Los Angeles Clippers and Karl-Anthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
On defense, his tenacity never left. Butler had a keen eye for the passing lane and movements of his opponents to average 1.3 steals per contest.
The 76ers desperately need to add another two-way star next to Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. The team has been extensively linked to Paul George this offseason but, if they aren't able to land PG13, a reunion with Jimy Butler would be a very nice consolation prize for a team looking to take the next step.
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