The Memphis Grizzlies are in a familiar position as the 2025 NBA trade deadline nears. If the current standings hold, it would be the third time in four years that Memphis will have finished third or better in the Western Conference standings.
Unfortunately, with zero trips beyond the second round of the playoffs to show for their efforts, Memphis has been perhaps fairly labeled as an almost contender.
Memphis reached the second round of the 2022 NBA Playoffs, but bowed out in the first round in 2023. It was the beneficiary of award-winning seasons from Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., but despite the quality of the roster, most agreed that something was missing—a truth the Grizzlies are looking to rectify in 2025.
According to Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst of ESPN, the Grizzlies are a quiet candidate to trade for embattled Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler.
"The Grizzlies are lurking in Butler trade talks, sources said, and have been in contact with the Heat during the process. Rival league executives believe Memphis is trying to combine a talent influx with offloading some future salary so it can facilitate a contract extension for Jaren Jackson Jr. as early as this summer."
The report continued, noting that there's speculation around the NBA that Memphis would be open to the risk of losing Butler in free agency this July if he can help them make a deep run in the playoffs and simultaneously aid in their attempts to clear cap space.
"Butler, meanwhile, has made it known that he could opt out of his contract this summer and seek free agency. Sources have theorized that if the Grizzlies can acquire him for a playoff run and also free cap space this summer, that's where their interests might lie."
It's not quite as publicized as the Phoenix Suns' pursuit of Butler, but the Grizzlies could be an ideal candidate to end the most tumultuous saga in the NBA.
Grizzlies reportedly willing to accept the risk of trading for Jimmy Butler
Butler's potentially expiring contract is one of the primary reasons he hasn't been traded yet. He has a player option worth $52,413,394 for the 2025-26 season, but at 35 years of age, he's likely to decline and instead pursue what could be his last multi-year deal.
Considering a situation of this nature played out when the Philadelphia 76ers acquired Butler in the last guaranteed year of his contract in 2018-19 and lost him the next summer, trepidation is logical.
The Grizzlies, however, appear to see the value in potentially adding Butler on what could amount to a months-long deal. Five different players on their roster are in line to make at least $12.5 million next season, including four at a figure of at least $21.5 million.
That makes a package that includes Brandon Clarke and Marcus Smart a strong possibility, as that duo will combine to make upwards of $34 million in 2025-26.
It's unclear what else the Grizzlies would be willing to include in a trade, but their interest in Butler is well-founded. In addition to a golden opportunity to clear future cap space, Memphis would be adding a player who has made two NBA Finals appearances as a go-to scorer since 2020.
For a team as talented as any, but lacking a star who has significant postseason experience, gambling on Butler could result in the franchise securing its first Conference Finals appearance since 2012-13.
It's fair to question if the Grizzlies should part with the future first-round draft picks that Miami is likely to ask for if Butler is only going to be a half-season rental. The current core has been attempting to make the final leap toward greatness for several years, however, and the door doesn't always stay open for as long as one would like.
It would be a risky endeavor no matter how the Grizzlies pull it off, but going all-in on the current vision is a possibility the front office seems to be thoroughly considering.