Trade Jimmy Butler to … Sacramento? Milwaukee? Phoenix? Memphis?
The Miami Heat star wants a trade, and the Heat are listening to offers ahead of the February 6 trade deadline.
Butler isn’t the only prominent name being discussed in trade talks. Chicago’s Zach LaVine, Washington’s Jonas Valanciunas, Brooklyn’s Cam Johnson, New Orleans’ Zion Williamson and Utah’s Jordan Clarkson are among other players who could be moved in the next two-plus weeks.
Getting draft picks, especially first-rounders, in exchange for some of those players is important, but teams also are cautious not to give away too much draft capital. It’s a tug-of-war, and NBA trades can be complicated, restrictive depending on a team’s salary cap situation and sometimes require a third team.
Who is going to make a move that puts them closer to an NBA title?
Six trades we want to see before the NBA trade deadline:
Jimmy Butler to the Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies are in third place in the Western Conference and close to second-place Houston. The No. 2 seed and a deep run in the playoffs are possible, and Miami’s Butler is the player who can help give Memphis a better chance. In today’s NBA, if there’s a window to go for it, you do it, just like Toronto did in 2018-19, acquiring Kawhi Leonard and winning a title. There’s a risk in acquiring Butler. He can become a free agent this summer so there’s no guarantee a team re-signs him, just like the Raptors lost Leonard to the Los Angeles Clippers in free agency after beating Golden State in the 2019 Finals. However, that brief time Leonard spent with Toronto was worth it to the Raptors.
What would that trade look like? Butler to Memphis for Marcus Smart, Brandon Clarke, Luke Kennard and John Konchar with draft picks included.
Jonas Valanciunas to the Los Angeles Lakers
Washington signed Valanciunas to a very reasonable deal that makes him easier to trade. Averaging 11.5 points, 8.1 rebounds and shooting 55.1% from the field in just 19.1 minutes per game, Valanciunas would give the Lakers more depth, scoring, rebounding and defense. The Lakers are 25th in defensive rebounding, 26th in offensive rebounding and 24th in defensive rating. They need help.
What would that trade look like? Valanciunas to the Lakers for Gabe Vincent and two second-round picks.
Zion Williamson to the Golden State Warriors
The Warriors are on record saying they want to protect future roster flexibility. However, if the Warriors want to make another title run with Steph Curry, they need roster improvement. Williamson needs a fresh start, and the Pelicans can eliminate their frustration with the former No. 1 pick. Trades like this aren’t easy but are not impossible.
What would that trade look like? Wiliamson to the Warriors for Andrew Wiggins, Kevon Looney and Gui Santos plus first-round picks in 2025 and 2027.
Zach LaVine to the Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks seek another title with Giannis Antetokounmpo still producing at an MVP level next to Damian Lillard. LaVine is having an outstanding shooting season with the Bulls at 51.4% from the field and 45.6% on 3-pointers (both career highs) and is averaging 23.6 points. This trade requires other moves by Milwaukee including moving Pat Connaughton in a separate deal.
What would that trade look like? The heart of the trade likely would include Khris Middleton and draft picks leaving Milwaukee.
Cam Johnson to the Oklahoma City Thunder
The Nets’ Johnson is a hot name in trade rumors. Johnson averages career bests in points (19.6 per game) and assists (3.0) and is shooting career highs in field goal percentage (.499), 3-point percentage (.428) and free throw percentage (.897). He is in the second year of a manageable four-year, $94.5 million contract. Indiana, Sacramento and Memphis could also be in the mix. However, Oklahoma City has the draft capital – and then some – that Brooklyn seeks.
What would that trade look like? Johnson to Oklahoma City for Kenrich Williams, Ousmane Dieng, Nikola Topic and two first-round picks.
Jordan Clarkson to the Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets are 27th in bench points per game (28.5) and 24th in offensive efficiency from their bench. They could use reserve help, and Utah’s Clarkson can provide that. The 2020-21 Sixth Man of the Year, Clarkson is sidelined with a left plantar fascia injury but will be re-evaluated soon. Before the injury, he averaged 16.0 points, 3.8 assists and 3.4 rebounds.
What would that trade look like? Clarkson and Patty Mills to Denver for Zeke Nnaji, Dario Saric, DaRon Holmes II and a second-round pick.
Follow NBA reporter Jeff Zillgitt on social media @JeffZillgitt