Jimmy Butler Trade Rumors: 76ers, 2 Other Teams Ready to Give Heat Star Max Contract

If the Miami Heat do decide to trade Jimmy Butler this offseason, there are reportedly multiple teams interested in giving him a max contract extension.

After Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported Tuesday that the Philadelphia 76ers would be open to providing such a deal, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reported Wednesday there are "two other teams that have made it known in league circles that they would be willing to trade for Butler and sign him to a max-level contract."

Butler is under contract for next season with Miami and also has a player option for the 2025-26 campaign.

Yet Chiang explained he is looking for a two-year extension from the Heat that is worth approximately $113 million. In essence, Butler prefers an extension that would provide a $2 million increase for his $52.4 million player option and then a $58.6 million salary for the 2026-27 season.

That is quite the commitment for someone who will turn 35 years old in September and has dealt with injury problems, but Chiang noted "Butler and his agent Bernie Lee have repeatedly made it clear—publicly and privately—that he wants to spend the rest of his NBA career with the Heat."

Yet if the front office is unwilling to meet those preferences, there are other teams willing to jump on the opportunity.

Philadelphia makes sense, as it is seeking a third star alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey and is familiar with Butler since he played for the team during the 2018-19 season. That team reached Game 7 of the second round, which is the furthest Embiid has advanced in the playoffs during his career.

Pompey reported Paul George is the priority in Philadelphia, but Butler, LeBron James, OG Anunoby, Zach LaVine and Brandon Ingram could all be potential backup options.

That multiple other teams would be interested in providing a max contract outside of just the 76ers could increase Butler's leverage during discussions with the Heat, especially if Philadelphia does end up with George and is no longer a feasible option.

Still, he was limited to just 60 games this season and missed Miami's first-round playoff loss to the Boston Celtics. The last time he reached the 70-game mark was the 2016-17 campaign.

But there is no doubting his worth when he is healthy and on the floor, as the six-time All-Star, five-time All-NBA selection and five-time All-Defensive selection is a proven playoff performer who was the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals MVP.

He brings excellent play on both ends of the floor and could be the missing piece for a team looking to capitalize on a championship window if the Heat do not want to pay him.