Jimmy Butler Trade Rumors: Spurs, Thunder 'Quietly' Named As Potential Landing Spots

The San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder are reportedly among the potential trade destinations for Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler.

Brett Siegel of Clutch Points revealed that the Spurs, Thunder and Los Angeles Lakers have been "quietly mentioned in league circles" as trade partners for Miami involving a Butler deal.

The Denver Nuggets are also considered a "dark horse" team to acquire the six-time All-Star, per Siegel.

San Antonio has already exceeded expectations to begin its 2024-25 campaign, led by star Victor Wembanyama. After the Spurs finished with a mere 22 wins last season, they already sit at 14-13 through 27 games this year.

With San Antonio potentially competing for its first playoff appearance since 2019, adding a veteran with postseason experience such as Butler should help the team down the stretch of the regular season.

The 35-year-old is averaging 19.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game on 55.2/35.7/78.2 shooting splits throughout 14 starts with the Heat.

For the Thunder, an acquisition of Butler would cement their status as a championship threat. Oklahoma City already owns the best defensive rating in the association, holding the No. 1 seed in the West with a 21-5 record (via NBA.com).

Butler's ability to score off the dribble and find open teammates should allow him to fit seamlessly in a starting lineup that would also include Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren.

Thunder general manager Sam Presti may be hesitant to shake up the team's rotation in order to accommodate Butler given the strong start to the year, but the veteran could be the missing piece for the organization's first title in Oklahoma City.