Windhorst: Jimmy Butler Trade to Kings Not an 'Option' amid De'Aaron Fox Rumors

A trade with the Sacramento Kings is reportedly not on the table for the Miami Heat as it relates to disgruntled veteran Jimmy Butler.

Speaking Wednesday on his Brian Windhorst and The Hoop Collective podcast (beginning at the 17:09 mark), ESPN NBA insider Brian Windhorst suggested that the Kings are not in the mix for Butler:

"As of the recording of this podcast, I do not believe that Jimmy Butler going to Sacramento is part of the option here. I have my reasons for that. Could change. This podcast is being recorded the day before it's posting. There's not been discussion, I think, with the Butler side. Not that that's absolutely vital, but I can just leave it at that."

The Kings made headlines on the rumor mill Tuesday when ESPN's Shams Charania reported that they were expected to "open talks" for a possible trade involving one-time All-Star guard De'Aaron Fox.

Butler, 35, seems like a sure bet to get moved prior to the Feb. 6 NBA trade deadline given his tumultuous relationship with the Heat currently.

He is in the midst of his third suspension this month, as he was first suspended seven games for conduct detrimental to the team, then two games for missing a team flight and now indefinitely for walking out of practice Monday.

Prior to his initial suspension, Butler suggested that he wanted to be traded, and as part of the suspension announcement, the Heat confirmed as much and noted that they would listen to offers.

An ideal scenario for Miami would be to trade Butler in a deal that brings back a player who would help the team now and in the future, which perfectly describes Fox.

The 27-year-old Fox is in the midst of his third consecutive season averaging 25 points or more per game, as he is putting up 25.2 points, 6.2 assists, 5.0 rebounds, 2.0 three-pointers made and 1.5 steals per contest, while shooting 46.8 percent from the field and 32.4 percent from long range.

While Fox has been a highly productive player throughout his eight-year career in Sacramento, he has only reached the playoffs once, which may be a contributing factor in why he has not wanted to make a long-term commitment to the organization.

Fox can become a free agent after next season, and ESPN's Tim Bontemps noted on Brian Windhorst and The Hoop Collective that the Heat want to have salary cap space entering the 2026 offseason with the goal of signing a player like Fox.

Bontemps also brought up the Kentucky connection with the Heat, as Fox starred at the University of Kentucky, as did Miami's top two players in Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo, and team president Pat Riley.

While the Heat may try to make a run at trading for Fox, Windhorst suggested that Butler is not the type of return the Kings are looking for.

Butler is a six-time All-Star who has twice led the Heat to the playoffs, but he can become a free agent during the offseason if he opts out of his contract.

Also, the Kings are only on the fringes on playoff contention, as their 24-22 record has them 10th in the Western Conference, which is the final spot in the postseason play-in tournament.

Butler would perhaps help the Kings remain competitive playing alongside Domantas Sabonis and DeMar DeRozan, but it seems likely that the Kings would prefer to bring in quality pieces for the future in any trade involving Fox.