Inside The Heat

Miami Heat Fans Yearning Jimmy Butler Trade For Future Hall of Famer

Shandel Richardson|
Feb 1, 2025; Portland, Oregon, USA; Phoenix Suns power forward Kevin Durant (35) shoots the ball over Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard Shaedon Sharpe (17) during the second half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-Imagn Images
Feb 1, 2025; Portland, Oregon, USA; Phoenix Suns power forward Kevin Durant (35) shoots the ball over Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard Shaedon Sharpe (17) during the second half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-Imagn Images | Soobum Im-Imagn Images

In this story:

Miami Heat

The Miami Heat fans have spoken.

They know who they want to end this Jimmy Butler trade speculation saga. It's Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant. On Tuesday morning, "Jimmy for KD" was trending all over social media.

There are reports of the Suns being open to trading Durant before Thursday's deadline. Fans who have criticized Heat team president Pat Riley for his lack of blockbuster moves are willing to forgive if he can land Durant.

The move is a win-win for both teams. The Heat get rid of Butler, who has publicly demanded a trade for the past month. He is in the middle of an indefinite suspension, which is his third in recent weeks. The Suns get a two-way player in Butler, who reportedly wants to play in Phoenix.

If the Heat can somehow pair Durant with Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro, they could re-enter the Eastern Conference contender conversation.

BUTLER TO GOLDEN STATE?

If the Golden State Warriors really want Butler, they woke up Tuesday morning apparently still in the race.

The Athletic reported Monday the Warriors are pursuing star players, including the 35-year-old Butler. Golden State appears optimistic they’ll partner a marquee player with Stephen Curry in the coming days.

“The Warriors believe they are still firmly in the mix for Butler or another of the league’s star dominos that could topple as part of the Butler transaction or once it is resolved,” team sources told The Athletic.

Shandel Richardson is the publisher of Miami Heat On SI. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.com

Follow our coverage on Facebook

X: @ShandelRich

Published
Shandel Richardson
SHANDEL RICHARDSON

Shandel has covered the NBA since 2010, with previous stops at The Athletic and South Florida Sun-Sentinel. He has covered six NBA Finals, one Super Bowl, the NCAA basketball tournament. He has also been a beat writer for the Miami Hurricanes and contributed on every major beat in South Florida since 2003, including the Miami Dolphins and Miami Marlins. He can also be read in the Sportsbook Review for gambling coverage from around the NBA. A native of Bloomington, Illinois, Shandel attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. He's also worked for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and Kansas City Star. TWITTER: @ShandelRich EMAIL: shandelrich@gmail.com You can subscribe to our YouTube channel here Follow all of our Miami Heat coverage on Facebook here