Jan 2, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) defends Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) during the second half at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

'He Is Not $52M From Anyone Else Next Year': Rachel Nichols Feels Jimmy Butler’s Age Makes Him An Unattractive Free Agent

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics
By Ernest Hernandez | Last updated Jan 7, 2025 12:10 PM ET

In light of Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler ‘s recent comments, sports journalist and TV host Rachel Nichols thinks that the hardest aspect of a potential trade deal for Butler would be his asking salary. The broadcaster thinks that a $52 million deal is not a realistic number right now for him.

In one of the recent episodes of the Open Floor podcast with Chris Mannix , Rachel Nichols highlighted how one of the biggest parts of a Jimmy Butler trade is how much money he is asking for. And considering his current state, Nichols thinks that he and his agent may need to revisit their expectations.

“Right now it’s just [one of] Jimmy Butler’s big concerns at previous stops has seemed to be ‘they’re not paying me what I’m worth,’” Nichols said. “I mean, we’ve heard that from him in several cities, and by the way I think he’s largely been right several of those times.”

“However, if that is one of his concerns, he’s not getting $52 million from anyone else next year. It’s not happening.”

Nichols also touched on Jimmy Butler’s age and risk of injury as something that could lower his value below what he is expecting to get moving forward.

“Jimmy Butler is 35 years old and as these guys age, do you remember when you were 35 versus 40? Things happen to the body, my friend.”

Rachel Nichols on Jimmy Butler $52 Salary: “I Think We Need to Be Realistic”

Despite a number of teams looking to be a good fit for Jimmy Butler, Rachel Nichols believes that Butler and his agent Bernie Lee should manage their expectations to attack more and better trade offers.

Sep 30, 2024; El Segundo, CA, USA; Rachel Nichols during Los Angeles Lakers media day at the UCLA Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

“I think we have to be realistic about what kind of salary these guys are going to command in the future and Jimmy and Bernie Lee have to be realistic about that,” she said. “I just don’t know who’s giving him that huge amount of money.”

“It was just like six months ago that Pat Riley gave a press conference where he talked about needing Jimmy Butler to be more available like you’re not going to get healthier as you get older so you also have to worry about his availability if you give him a new contract.”

Jan 2, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) warms-up before the game against the Indiana Pacers at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

“I’m with you,” Chris Mannix added, agreeing with Rachel Nichols’ analysis of the matter. “I don’t see him opting out of that contract. $52 million is too much money unless there’s $150 million on the table somewhere else which, again, I’m very skeptical about to say the least.”

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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