The Warriors are in a tricky spot financially, making it difficult to sign a marquee free agent outright. But if a star like Butler became available, Golden State could be aggressive in trying to land him. Butler would bring the kind of grit and leadership the Warriors need to extend their championship window with Steph Curry still at his peak. However, for this to happen, a blockbuster trade involving several teams might be the only way to make the salaries and roster pieces fit.
Butler’s commitment to Miami isn’t in question — for now. But with the Heat failing to secure a significant title run in recent seasons and Butler entering his mid-30s, both he and the Heat might be tempted to explore new possibilities.
Mock Trade Details
Here’s how the potential four-team blockbuster trade would look:
Warriors receive: Jimmy Butler
Heat receive: Trae Young, Harrison Barnes, Kevon Looney, Jonathan Kuminga
Hawks receive: Andrew Wiggins, Terry Rozier, Gary Payton II, 2025 First-Round Pick (via Warriors), 2026 First-Round Pick (via Heat)
Spurs receive: De’Andre Hunter, Nikola Jovic, Pelle Larsson
This trade gives the Warriors a proven veteran in Butler with an expiring deal. The Hawks gain valuable assets and picks to rebuild or retool their roster. Meanwhile, Miami gets a dynamic playmaker in Trae Young with youngster Jonathan Kuminga, and the Spurs add another promising young player in Jovic to their rebuild in Nikola Jovic.
The Warriors Replace Klay Thompson’s Scoring With Jimmy Butler
The Warriors, looking to get back to their championship ways, could make a big splash by trading for Jimmy Butler. With Klay Thompson now gone after signing with the Mavericks, Golden State has been on the hunt for a top-level shot creator to partner up with Stephen Curry.
In this potential trade, the Warriors would send out some key guys like Andrew Wiggins, Kevon Looney, and Jonathan Kuminga, bringing in Butler, who’s a six-time All-Star. Butler’s contract is in its last guaranteed year, and most people think he’ll opt out of his 2025-26 player option to hit free agency. He didn’t sign an extension with the Heat this summer, so his future is kind of up in the air.
Butler would give the Warriors exactly what they need—a guy who can lock down opponents defensively and show up big in the clutch. Last season, he averaged 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists in 60 games, shooting nearly 50% from the field and over 40% from three. His leadership and experience in high-pressure games could push Golden State over the hump after they missed the playoffs last season with a 46-36 record, falling short in the play-in. Butler’s toughness on both sides of the ball should help the Warriors close out games better.
From a financial angle, it’s tricky. Butler’s $48.8 million salary next season would strain the Warriors’ cap, but the good news is that he’s on an expiring deal. They could either try to re-sign him, work out a new deal, or even let him walk next summer if things don’t work out.
Now, letting go of Andrew Wiggins—who played a big role in their 2022 title run and averaged 13.2 points and 4.5 rebounds last season—would definitely hurt. His defensive skills and Kuminga’s potential as a young star are big losses. And let’s not forget Looney, who’s been solid on the boards, pulling down 9.8 rebounds per game last year.
But the Warriors are trying to squeeze every last bit of Curry’s prime years, so taking a gamble on Butler could be worth it. If the Heat start off slow and decide to shake things up, Golden State could be one of the teams knocking on their door at the trade deadline. In this mock trade, the Warriors would be banking on the idea that Butler and Curry together could give them the push they need to get back to the top of the West.
Heat Land Trae Young In A Bold Move For The Future
The Miami Heat would shake things up by moving on from Jimmy Butler and acquiring Trae Young, along with key role players like Harrison Barnes, Kevon Looney, and the promising Jonathan Kuminga. This deal could set Miami up for a new era, centered around a younger, dynamic star like Young.
Trae Young averaged 25.7 points and 10.8 assists per game in 2023-24, showcasing his ability to dominate offensively and create for others. He was also named to his third All-Star team. Adding Young would completely revamp Miami’s playstyle, bringing more pace and spacing to the offense, as Trae’s deep shooting range (37.2% from three) and playmaking skills would give the Heat a fresh look on that end of the floor.
Aside from Young, Miami would get valuable contributors like Kevon Looney, one of the league’s top rebounders (averaging 9.8 rebounds per 36), and Harrison Barnes, a veteran scorer and leader who could bring in some solid two-way play. Jonathan Kuminga, only 21, is a raw talent with significant upside, and could develop into a future star under Miami’s coaching.
For Miami, this would mean saying goodbye to Jimmy Butler, who has been the team’s heart and soul since arriving in 2019. Butler averaged 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists in 2024 and remained an elite defender, but he is approaching the end of his contract. With Butler’s player option for 2025-26 looming, the Heat could opt to trade him now rather than risk losing him in free agency next summer.
In this mock trade, the Heat would be looking to the future, building around a younger core and retooling their roster. While they lose Butler’s grit and leadership, the addition of Trae Young could give them a new identity—one that’s focused on high-octane offense and a quicker pace, which could be just what they need to stay competitive in the Eastern Conference.
Hawks Start Fresh With A Defensive Core
The Atlanta Hawks would send Trae Young to the Heat, officially beginning their new era. After a busy 2024 offseason where Atlanta traded Dejounte Murray to the Pelicans for young assets like Dyson Daniels, and selected Zaccharie Risacher with the No. 1 pick, the Hawks are fully leaning into a rebuild focused on defense and youth.
In return for Young, the Hawks would get Andrew Wiggins, Terry Rozier, and future first-round picks. Wiggins, a proven defender, would step in as a solid veteran presence, contributing on both ends of the floor. He averaged 13.2 points and 4.5 rebounds for the Warriors last season, offering the Hawks someone who can guard multiple positions while still scoring efficiently.
Terry Rozier, who joined the Heat mid-season last year, averaged 16.4 points in 2024 while shooting 37.1% from three. He’d provide scoring and veteran leadership in the backcourt. Adding Rozier would give the Hawks a much-needed scoring option to help bridge the gap as they build around their young core.
The Hawks have already made a statement by acquiring Dyson Daniels, who brings defense and playmaking to the table. Along with Risacher, a highly-touted young wing who many believe could become a star, the Hawks are prioritizing long-term growth. Risacher may not be an immediate contributor, but he represents the future of the franchise.
This trade would also give Atlanta two additional first-round picks, boosting their asset base for future moves. With Wiggins and Rozier providing veteran leadership, and young talent like Daniels and Risacher developing, the Hawks could be well-positioned to improve defensively while staying competitive in the East.
The Spurs Add Youth And Potential
In this scenario, the San Antonio Spurs would receive De’Andre Hunter, Nikola Jovic, and Pelle Larsson as the last piece of this deal. This bargain could be a great move for the Spurs, who are continuing to build around young star Victor Wembanyama and their young core.
De’Andre Hunter, who averaged 15.4 points and 4.2 rebounds for the Hawks last season, would provide the Spurs with a two-way player who can guard multiple positions and contribute on offense. His defensive versatility could be an excellent complement to Wembanyama in the frontcourt, forming a solid defensive duo. Hunter, still just 26, has plenty of room to grow and could thrive in San Antonio’s development system.
Nikola Jovic, the promising forward from Miami, would bring more youth and potential to the Spurs. At 21, Jovic has shown flashes of his offensive versatility and playmaking skills. Although his opportunities were limited in Miami, San Antonio’s patient approach to player development could be the perfect environment for him to blossom.
The addition of Pelle Larsson, a standout from Arizona, would give the Spurs another young prospect to work with. Larsson is known for his high basketball IQ and strong perimeter defense, traits that align well with San Antonio’s focus on developing complete, two-way players. While Larsson may not be an immediate impact player, his upside could make him a valuable piece of the Spurs’ future.
With Victor Wembanyama set to lead the next era of Spurs basketball, this trade would allow San Antonio to stockpile even more young talent. Pairing Wembanyama with versatile forwards like Hunter and Jovic could give the Spurs a dynamic frontcourt that is built for the modern NBA, emphasizing length, defense, and versatility.
Although San Antonio is still in a rebuilding phase, this trade would allow them to continue accumulating assets and developing a young core that could be a force in the coming years.
