New York Knicks Are Interested In Jimmy Butler Trade

Jimmy Butler is widely believed to be a Miami Heat loyalist, but his future with the franchise has fallen under doubt over the past few weeks. Now, as teams around the league consider his availability, the New York Knicks have become the latest group to take a special interest in the 6x All-Star.

“Butler had boasted the Heat would’ve sent the Knicks home had Miami faced them in the playoffs. Ironically, the Knicks reportedly have an eye on the potential Butler Sweepstakes," wrote Marc Berman .

Butler, 34, joined the Heat back in 2019 from the 76ers . Over five seasons with the team, he's averaged 21.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game on 49% shooting. He and his co-star Bam Adebayo have taken the Heat to two Finals appearances since 2020.

As a gritty and competitive two-way player, Butler has always been viewed as a perfect match for the franchise and he's been the face behind their infamous 'Heat Culture.' The 13-year veteran has two years left on his deal, including a player option for the 2025-26 campaign worth $52 million.

But in the aftermath of a disappointing season, the future of Butler and the Heat has come under doubt. During the season-ending interviews, those doubts increased after Pat Riley publicly called him out for claiming he could have led the Heat to series wins over the Celtics and Knicks in the East .

While many teams will be in pursuit of Butler, including the Warriors and 76ers, the Knicks are probably the team that makes the most sense for him at this stage of his career. They finished 2nd in the East last season with a 50-32 record and advanced to the second round before being eliminated by the Indiana Pacers.

The Knicks fell apart in the East Semis due to injuries and pure exhaustion but having a reliable two-way star like Butler could give them the edge they need to finally make a run. With the Knicks, Butler would also be reunited with his former Bulls coach, Tom Thibodeau, who worked alongside him for the first seven years of his career.

From a roster standpoint, the Knicks have a lot to gain from adding a two-way star and a proven leader on the wing. With Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle, and OG Anunoby, the Knicks already have the backbone of a really good team, but Butler's arrival could push them to contender status.

At the very least, his fearless game and relentless approach will help to maximize the roster and give the Knicks a reliable closer down the stretch of games and during the playoffs.

Of course, the Knicks would have to sacrifice a lot to acquire a player like Butler and there will be multiple teams in pursuit of his services this offseason. But as a team that is just one or two pieces away, the Knicks can change everything if they add another star to their roster and the East will be in trouble if they can add someone of Butler's stature to play with Jalen Brunson.

Related: NBA Rumors: 3 Blockbuster Trade Ideas For Jimmy Butler

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