Miami Heat’s star Jimmy Butler surprisingly became the subject of various trade rumors after it was reported that his extension negotiations with the team stalled. However, it appears that the Heat are not thinking about parting ways with their best player, at least not anytime soon.

Speaking with reporters on Monday, Heat’s president Pat Riley was asked whether the organization is entertaining the idea of trading Butler.

“No,” Riley responded before discussing Butler’s extension.

According to Riley, the Heat “haven’t in earnest discussed” a new contract with Butler while pointing out that the franchise still has time before needing to think about it.

“Who moves the needle the most on our team is Jimmy,” Riley added. “Jimmy moves the needle the most. He’s an incredible player. What I said at the beginning about change is he’s got to give it some thought himself for this team to be what he wants it to be, and what I want it to be, and (owner) Micky (Arison) and everybody else.”

Jimmy Butler is under contract with the Heat for 2024-25 season and has a player option for 2025-26. Miami Herald recently reported that Butler isn’t interested in seeing out his current deal as it is and hopes to get a two-year max extension, which would be worth around $113 million.

This season, Butler averaged 20.8 points, his lowest since 2019–20, while adding 5.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game. He sprained his MCL during the Play-In Tournament clash against the Philadelphia 76ers and was unable to help the Heat avoid first-round series elimination against the Boston Celtics.

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Houston Rockets made a strong push for Jimmy Butler last season only to see their trade package revolving around four first-round picks rejected by Minnesota Timberwolves. Butler, who will be a free agent this summer, ended up with Philadelphia 76ers, but that didn’t stop Rockets from plotting a way to bring him to Houston.

According to Houston Chronicle’s Brian T. Smith, Rockets intend to “aggressively” pursue Butler this summer as they see him as an ideal fit for their team.

The issue here, however, is that Houston can’t sign Butler outright. The 29-year-old All-Star publicly said that he will demand a max contract, something that Rockets don’t have cap space for. This means that any potential deal between the two sides would include sign-and-trade.

One way that Jimmy Butler can end up with the Rockets is if he signs a max contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, and then gets traded to Houston. He could also take his $19 million player option in his current deal, and then get traded. Butler would then probably sign with the Rockets in 2020 in a similar arrangement in which the team landed Chris Paul.

While it remains to be seen how bad Butler wants to play in Houston, the reality is that Rockets will face strong competition for his services. He is one of the marquee free agents this summer with 76ers, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Clippers and Brooklyn Nets being among teams that will offer him a contract this summer.

Butler played 65 games combined for Timberwolves and 76ers in this past season, averaging 18.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game.

The post Houston Rockets Reportedly Expected to “Aggressively” Pursue Jimmy Butler appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Miami Heat’s star Jimmy Butler surprisingly became the subject of various trade rumors after it was reported that his extension negotiations with the team stalled. However, it appears that the Heat are not thinking about parting ways with their best player, at least not anytime soon.

Speaking with reporters on Monday, Heat’s president Pat Riley was asked whether the organization is entertaining the idea of trading Butler.

“No,” Riley responded before discussing Butler’s extension.

According to Riley, the Heat “haven’t in earnest discussed” a new contract with Butler while pointing out that the franchise still has time before needing to think about it.

“Who moves the needle the most on our team is Jimmy,” Riley added. “Jimmy moves the needle the most. He’s an incredible player. What I said at the beginning about change is he’s got to give it some thought himself for this team to be what he wants it to be, and what I want it to be, and (owner) Micky (Arison) and everybody else.”

Jimmy Butler is under contract with the Heat for 2024-25 season and has a player option for 2025-26. Miami Herald recently reported that Butler isn’t interested in seeing out his current deal as it is and hopes to get a two-year max extension, which would be worth around $113 million.

This season, Butler averaged 20.8 points, his lowest since 2019–20, while adding 5.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game. He sprained his MCL during the Play-In Tournament clash against the Philadelphia 76ers and was unable to help the Heat avoid first-round series elimination against the Boston Celtics.

The post Heat President Pat Riley Shuts Down Jimmy Butler Trade Rumors appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Houston Rockets made a strong push for Jimmy Butler last season only to see their trade package revolving around four first-round picks rejected by Minnesota Timberwolves. Butler, who will be a free agent this summer, ended up with Philadelphia 76ers, but that didn’t stop Rockets from plotting a way to bring him to Houston.

According to Houston Chronicle’s Brian T. Smith, Rockets intend to “aggressively” pursue Butler this summer as they see him as an ideal fit for their team.

The issue here, however, is that Houston can’t sign Butler outright. The 29-year-old All-Star publicly said that he will demand a max contract, something that Rockets don’t have cap space for. This means that any potential deal between the two sides would include sign-and-trade.

One way that Jimmy Butler can end up with the Rockets is if he signs a max contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, and then gets traded to Houston. He could also take his $19 million player option in his current deal, and then get traded. Butler would then probably sign with the Rockets in 2020 in a similar arrangement in which the team landed Chris Paul.

While it remains to be seen how bad Butler wants to play in Houston, the reality is that Rockets will face strong competition for his services. He is one of the marquee free agents this summer with 76ers, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Clippers and Brooklyn Nets being among teams that will offer him a contract this summer.

Butler played 65 games combined for Timberwolves and 76ers in this past season, averaging 18.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game.

The post Houston Rockets Reportedly Expected to “Aggressively” Pursue Jimmy Butler appeared first on SportzBonanza.