If the Miami Heat are going to cut ties with Jimmy Butler, they should receive a high-profile asset in return.
In a monster four-team trade, the Heat could walk away with an ex-Los Angeles Lakers superstar.
“Kevin Pelton of ESPN did quite well in figuring out a way to get (Jimmy) Butler to one of his reported preferred destinations — the Dallas Mavericks,” Clutch Points’ Jedd Pagaduan wrote Saturday.
“This is the hypothetical trade that Pelton came up with (Butler to Mavericks, Brandon Ingram, Naji Marshall, and Daniel Theis to the Heat, Daniel Gafford, Dwight Powell, and Klay Thompson to the Pelicans, and Maxi Kleber, and a Top 14 protected 2025 first-round pick to the Detroit Pistons).”
“The Heat have no leverage whatsoever in trade talks involving Jimmy Butler now that his trade request has gone public and now that he’s burned his bridges with the team.”
“So for them to get Brandon Ingram, a fringe All-Star talent as a three-level scorer on the wing, for Butler would be a major win, even if they will be required to pony up a huge sum for his next contract.”
“And for the Heat to be able to acquire Naji Marshall, a hard-nosed wing with playmaking and scoring chops, is just the cherry on top.”
“Miami cannot ask for much more than this in a trade for Butler, especially when they’ve always prioritized remaining competitive over hitting the reset button, which would indicate a potential preference for players that could help them win now instead of future draft assets that may not amount to much.”
While the Pelicans were expected to be competitive in the Western Conference this season after making the postseason last year, injuries have prematurely destroyed New Orleans’ playoff hopes.
However, Ingram has found a way to remain productive in Year 9, averaging 22.2 points on 46.5% field goal shooting and 37.4% three-point shooting on the 7-29 Pelicans.
Ingram may not be a stellar defender, but he’s a slender, offensive-minded phenom who plays with a steady pace on the perimeter.
To many, the Duke product moves in slow motion, but in reality, Ingram is dissecting defenses at a speed that makes defending him on an island challenging.
With the Heat searching for a star to replace Butler and the Pelicans on the verge of parting ways with Ingram ahead of the Feb. 6 trade deadline, Pelton’s proposed multi-team trade could occur.
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