Pelicans' Stance on Jimmy Butler Trade Rumors Revealed

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Nathaniel Holloway | Last updated Feb 1, 2025 10:30 AM ET

The New Orleans Pelicans have had a terrible season thus far and they are expected to make some major changes to their roster ahead of the Feb. 6 trade deadline.

New Orleans currently sits 14th in the Western Conference standings with a 12-37 record. They have seen their roster decimated by injuries this season, which has led to their disappointing season.

With the Pelicans already basically eliminated from the playoffs, they are expected to be a major seller ahead of the trade deadline. Of course, their main priority is to find Brandon Ingram a new home since he will be an unrestricted free agent after the season, but they may also look to trade Zion Williamson and C.J. McCollum.

Although the Pelicans are expected to be sellers, NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer reported that New Orleans had shown interest in acquiring disgruntled Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler. While that may have been the case, insider John Gambadoro shut down those rumors on Friday.

“The New Orleans Pelicans have no interest in trading for Jimmy Butler,” Gambadoro posted on X.

With the Pelicans now looking ahead to the future, it would be smart for them to stay out of the Butler sweepstakes. Butler has made it known that he is interested in landing with the Phoenix Suns, and as of now, that is the only team he would sign an extension with.

The Heat may have interest in swapping Butler for Ingram, but since he would be a one-year rental for the Pelicans since he can opt out of his contract and enter free agency after the season, it is likely that New Orleans will not pursue him like Gambadoro reported.

With Gambadoro’s report, it is clear that the Pelicans are not interested in Butler and will likely instead be in search of young players and draft capital as they look to build for their future ahead of the trade deadline.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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