Why the risk level has lessened for Jimmy Butler's next team

Despite his worsening reputation and regressing stats, Jimmy Butler would be an asset to any team, given that he's a proven winner who guided the Heat to two NBA Finals in three years. Yet, several teams have reportedly hesitated to pursue a trade for him due to his impending free-agency situation. 

Butler, who owns a player option worth $52M for the 2025-26 season, can become an unrestricted free agent later this summer. As such, the team that trades for him ahead of the Feb. 6 trade deadline could acquire him as a rental just until the end of the 2024-25 season.

In an interesting development, it now appears that's no longer the case. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Butler would be willing to opt into his 2025-26 player option as "a trade maneuver" that would make it easier for the Heat to find him a new home. In such a hypothetical scenario, Butler's new team would secure the six-time All-Star for at least one-and-a-half seasons and potentially two playoff runs.

Previously, several insiders reported that Butler would commit long-term to only the four teams on his desired list of destinations — the Mavericks, Warriors, Rockets and Suns. Furthermore, a report claimed that Butler's camp had warned teams such as the Grizzlies and Bucks against trading for him as he'd be unwilling to sign with either franchise.

If Butler does opt into his 2025-26 player option, it offers hope to the 26 other teams not on his reported list. Of course, there'd still be an element of risk involved but possibly a gamble worth taking. 

Butler's seven-game suspension from the Heat ends on Thursday. Thereafter, he is expected to sit down with the Heat front office to discuss a path forward, per ESPN sources. Butler demanded a trade from the franchise in mid-December.