With the Emirates NBA Cup taking over the NBA schedule this week, the other teams in the NBA have been busy behind the scenes trying to figure out what moves they can make to improve their season or the future of their organizations. The Memphis Grizzlies themselves have been linked to multiple teams and potential fits that could increase their aspiring championship odds as they have a wealth of players to use in a deal.
Normally, trades are reserved for closer to the NBA trade deadline in February, but the December 15th date to include recently signed players, combined with players with enticing expiring contracts in this new salary cap era, has the league in a bind. A superstar player with an expiring deal has made headlines lately, with a potential move to the Grizzlies' conference on the horizon.
Jimmy Butler's trade destinations
Jimmy Butler remains one of the NBA's most productive players as he is shooting a career-high from the field this season (55.7%) while averaging 19 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.2 steals for the middling Miami Heat. He has led the Heat to two NBA Finals appearances since he joined the organization in 2019 but his age (35) combined with his contract and salary expectations (currently making over $48M) has made it likely that he and the Heat will part ways.
Due to Butler's age and recent injury history, his days of being the best player on a championship-level team are declining, and his notable trade destinations match that sentiment. After reports surfaced about Jimmy Butler preferring trades to the Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, and Golden Warriors, ESPN's Sham Charania reported that Butler's agent indicated he is open to being traded to the Phoenix Suns as well.
Butler's agent went on a tirade refuting Charania's report but rumors don't come out of thin air, even if they didn't come from him. This specific rumor relates to the Grizzlies because of the teams that are included as his trade destinations are conference contenders along with the Memphis Grizzlies.
Each of those teams potentially trading for Butler would make the Western Conference that much tougher for the Grizzlies depending on who is sent back in the trade for him. A Butler pairing with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green in Golden State, Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving in Dallas, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker in Phoenix, or with the young and productive Houston Rockets could be the move that improves those teams from contender to favorite.
Regardless of what happens, the Memphis Grizzlies have a fun and talented team that is good enough to compete with those teams and will be ready for the challenge if a trade for Butler manifests itself to any of those trade destinations.