The first big trade rumor of the 2024–25 NBA season dropped from the sky in early December, courtesy of ESPN’s Shams Charania. The prolific NBA insider reported the Miami Heat were “open” to hearing trade offers for star Jimmy Butler. Charania noted Butler’s agent, Bernie Lee, is making it known the 2023 All-NBA wing would prefer to end up with one of three teams; failing that, Butler wants to end up on a legitimate championship contender.
“The Heat are open to listening to offers for Butler and making a deal if the proposal is right,” Charania reported on Dec. 10. “Butler’s agent, Bernie Lee, has indicated in league circles that Butler is open to destinations such as two of the Texas teams [Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks] and the Golden State Warriors … Above all, though, he is believed to prefer a win-now title contender in any trade.”
