Lowe: Jimmy Butler, Heat Trade Rumors 'Would Not Surprise Me' in 2024 NBA Offseason

ESPN reporter Zach Lowe says he wouldn't be surprised to hear trade rumors surrounding Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler this offseason.

"It would not surprise me if there were some Jimmy Butler trade rumblings this offseason, if those extension talks don't go well," Lowe said in a conversation with The Ringer's Howard Beck on Friday's episode of The Lowe Post podcast.

"There are scenarios, let's just say, where the Heat trade Jimmy Butler for some future assets and some other stuff...and that gives them the ammo to go out and call the Cavs, and say, 'Hey, what about Donovan Mitchell?,'" Lowe continued.

The Athletic's David Aldridge added "there have been murmurings this year that Butler and the Heat may no longer be singing from the same hymnal."

The Heat were eliminated from the 2024 first round Wednesday after losing in five games to the Boston Celtics with Butler sidelined by an MCL injury.

Butler is currently signed through the 2024-25 season and has a player option to remain with the Heat through 2026, per Spotrac.

It's no coincidence that Miami's first early playoff exit in three seasons happened without Butler.

Butler has upped his game in the postseason to average more than 26 points per night through the Heat's deep runs in 2022 and 2023.

But keeping him in Miami for the team's next playoff push will be an expensive, and potentially risky, proposition.

The Miami Herald's Anthony Chiang reported Thursday that Butler, who is heading into his age-35 season, is likely to ask for the maximum two-year extension that would keep him in Miami through 2027.

This extension would replace his player option and put in place a two-year, $113 million deal.

That total could change if the NBA salary cap fluctuates, Chiang noted. Regardless, it is likely to make Butler one of the league's highest-paid players.

"I think that is about as dicey an extension proposition as there is in the NBA given his age, his injury history, the fact that the team has had these playoff runs but also just hasn't been that good on the court in the regular season," Lowe said.

"I think this is a potentially explosive offseason for the Heat... do not take your eyes off the Heat. The Heat are always active, and this is a pivot point for the Jimmy Butler era."

If Butler decides to cash in on his reputation as a clutch postseason performer somewhere else this offseason, he would depart as one of the most influential players ever to compete in Miami.

He currently ranks top-ten in Heat franchise history in total steals and assists, and leads all Miami players with 12 career triple-doubles.