A number of teams have been tied to the Miami Heat since Jimmy Butler formally requested a trade several weeks ago.
And although Butler wants to move to the Phoenix Suns, he may not end up there.
Brian Windhorst is reporting that the Memphis Grizzlies are “lurking” in trade talks for Butler.
“The Grizzlies are lurking in Butler trade talks, sources said, and have been in contact with the Heat during the process. Rival league executives believe Memphis is trying to combine a talent influx with offloading some future salary so it can facilitate a contract extension for Jaren Jackson Jr. as early as this summer. Butler, meanwhile, has made it known that he could opt out of his contract this summer and seek free agency. Sources have theorized that if the Grizzlies can acquire him for a playoff run and also free cap space this summer, that’s where their interests might lie,” Windhorst said, via NBACentral.
The Memphis Grizzlies are reportedly lurking in the Jimmy Butler sweepstakes and wouldn’t mind acquiring him for a playoff run, per @WindhorstESPN
“The Grizzlies are lurking in Butler trade talks, sources said, and have been in contact with the Heat during the process. Rival… pic.twitter.com/jW6dYo8Uw0
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 24, 2025
The Grizzlies are finally healthy and strong again and have become the third-best team in the Western Conference, right behind the second-seed Houston Rockets.
They see Butler as a player who could help them perform well in the playoffs and could possibly lead them all the way to the NBA Finals.
They also think creating a deal for Butler would give them enough capital and leeway to grant Jaren Jackson Jr. a contract extension this summer.
This deal would obviously be a positive and forward-thinking move for the Grizzlies.
With that being said, inside reports have stated that Butler doesn’t want to play for the Grizzlies.
That’s surprising because he reportedly wants to join a squad that can win now, and the Grizzlies definitely can.
For whatever reason, he doesn’t wish to be in Memphis but that might be his fate if the Grizzlies put together a package that makes the Miami Heat and Pat Riley happy.
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