Could Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat be that guy for San Antonio? Hoops Habit’s Zach Ciavolella outlined what a deal would look like.
“Year two of Victor Wembanyama’s career is off to a roaring start as he is already the unquestioned Defensive Player of the Year, and yet, the Spurs are a middling team, sitting in the playoff hunt rather than at the table,” Ciavolella said.
“Making a move, consolidating some young, but aging talent, could make sense for San Antonio and questions about matching timelines could be answered in part by pointing out that the team added Chris Paul this offseason. But is doubling down on aging vets really the best path forward for the Wembanyama-led squad?”
“The offer (for Butler): Keldon Johnson, Harrison Barnes, Blake Wesley, Chicago’s top-10 protected 2025 first-round pick.”
“Keldon Johnson’s inclusion seemed like a foregone conclusion. If there’s an odd man out in San Antone, it’s likely Johnson. Where the deal begins to lose its legs is in the inclusion of Harrison Barnes.”
“Barnes has been a reliable three-point threat through the early going of the season. While his salary is borderline necessary to help a deal go through, the Spurs would be better off pursuing a star, potentially a young one at that, whose cap hit isn’t quite so high.”
“For the Heat, the pieces are fine, and they fit well enough, but it’s a far from inspiring deal. The highlight is Chicago’s 2025 first-round pick, which is top-10 protected in 2025, top-9 protected in 26 and 27, and drops off altogether in 2028. Again, the pieces are fine but far from inspiring, and with Chicago signaling an upcoming tank, it could be a while, if ever, until Miami collects on that pick.”
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