Former Jimmy Butler Team Could Shockingly Enter Heat Superstar Trade Sweepstakes

Windhorst acknowledged he can’t see the Bulls doing that deal.

“Maybe it’s never gonna happen, but it’s been discussed,” Windhorst said.

Co-host Tim Bontemps didn’t hide his opinion.

“I hope they don’t because it’d be one of the dumbest trades ever,” Bontemps argued.

JAMES COMMENTS ON BUTLER SUSPENSION

LeBron James has entered the conversation and shared his input on the Butler- Heat feud. 

Rather than use his words, James instead opted for emojis.

Heat big man and prolific social media troll artist Kevin Love mocked Butler’s impending return Sunday. Butler’s two-game suspension officially ended following Saturday’s road win over the Nets.

Love posted a video on Instagram featuring a conversation between Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci’s characters in Casino. The scene features Pesci cursing at De Niro about talking to people behind his back.

Clearly, the scene resonated with Love, who has repeatedly poked fun at Butler recently. 

“How Jimmy’s pulling up on me after the suspension…” Love wrote.

James left nine laughing emojis as a comment. 

It’s surprising to see James chime in, even if his thoughts are via emoji. Everything the 40-year-old James does is carefully calculated. 

In other words, don’t be surprised if someone takes James’ innocent comment and uses that to suggest the Lakers will acquire Butler. 

WHEN DID BUTLER-HEAT RELATIONSHIP CHANGE?

The relationship between Butler and the Heat has gradually collapsed for weeks, if not months.

Heat insider Ethan Skolnick thinks he knows exactly when things changed beyond repair.

“Something happened after Phoenix visited the [the Heat] on December 7,” Skolnick said on Saturday’s Five on the Floor. “Something happened.”

Butler recorded 24 points, seven rebounds, and four assists in a 121-111 Heat win that night. 

Interestingly, ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania reported Dec. 11 that Butler had indicated he’d be open to joining the Suns. Charania initially linked Butler to the Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, and Houston Rockets one day earlier. 

The Butler trade rumors began in earnest when the sides failed to reach a contract extension. Heat president Pat Riley publicly criticized Butler’s durability during an end-of-season press conference last spring.

“The Heat maintain that they thought after a very strong training camp, Jimmy was going to play this season [and] play hard,” Skolnick added.

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Jake Elman works as a contributing writer to Miami Heat on SI. He can be reached at jakeelman97@gmail.com or follow him on X @JakeElman97.