NBA Rumors: Jimmy Butler Wants Max Heat Contract ‘In an Ideal World’ amid 76ers Buzz

Jimmy Butler wants a max contract, and it looks like he wants it from Miami.

The Heat guard has been rumored to be potentially available if he and the team are unable to come to terms on a contract extension. Teams like the Philadelphia 76ers have been linked as potential suitors.

While Butler could be donning a new uniform in in 2024-25, it’s not necessarily inevitable. During an appearance on Locked on Heat, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype acknowledged that the Butler and the Heat are not on the same page but referred to it as “posturing” and that ideally a deal would get done.

“Jimmy, in an ideal world, wants to stay in Miami,” Scotto said. “He wants to get that max extension. I get why (Heat president) Pat Riley wants to hold off a little bit. I think it’s just posturing from both.”

Scotto also said that while Philadelphia would be “at the top of the list” among teams that would want Butler, the 76ers may prefer to focus on signing Paul George in free agency over trading away assets to acquire Butler.

Butler is entering the final year of his contract in 2024-25, although he does have a player option for 2025-26. He remains an extremely productive player for Miami, as he averaged 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and five assists in 60 games for the Heat in 2023-24.

He missed the Heat’s first-round matchup against the Boston Celtics with an injury, and Miami would lose the series 4-1. However, he has led the team to significant playoff success since joining the team in 2019-20. This includes NBA Finals appearances in 2019-20 and 2022-23 and a Conference Finals appearance in 2021-22.

Extending Butler would help keep the championship window alive, but recouping assets in a trade could help it retool quickly and prepare for more success in the future. That will be the debate for Riley and the Heat front office this offseason..