One of the top players in the NBA over the last decade, Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler could soon find himself on a new team. According to recent reports, the Heat are listening to trade offers for “Jimmy Buckets,” and Butler himself has requested a new team. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the  Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, and Dallas Mavericks are preferred destinations for the Texas native, but if he does go onto the trade block, expect many of the NBA’s top teams vying for a championship to shoot Miami a trade offer for him.

With Butler potentially being moved ahead of February's NBA trade deadline, Bookies.com veteran oddsmaker Adam Thompson has put together hypothetical NBA odds for where Butler could land. One thing to keep in mind is that Butler has a player option for next year, so he would likely be a rental for whatever team acquires him, as he seems likely to opt out and test the market.

Jimmy Butler Trade Deadline Odds
 

Odds are projected and do not reflect any odds that may be available at legal betting sites or betting apps.

Top Contenders

Golden State Warriors

The Warriors are looking to win their fifth NBA title in the past decade and bringing Butler to San Francisco would be a huge get for the team. The problem with the Warriors is they lack the young players and draft picks the Heat would covet, but if there is a way to make a reasonable trade between these two squads, then Golden State feels like a real option for a trade.

Miami Heat 

The Heat may very well end up keeping Butler past the deadline and try to convince him to sign an extension with the team. After all, he has been a terrific fit in Miami since joining the team six years ago, so there is no reason to think Miami won’t want to keep him if they think another long playoff run is possible.

Houston Rockets 

The Rockets have been one of the top teams in the NBA’s Western Conference this year and bringing Butler back to his hometown makes a lot of sense. The Rockets have plenty of young players and draft picks to trade, making them the perfect trade partner for Miami if Butler truly is put on the trade block.

Dallas Mavericks 

The Mavericks went to the NBA Finals last year but lost to the Boston Celtics. If they want to get back there this season, they will have to bring in a few upgrades, and Butler certainly counts as one. The Mavericks also have some interesting trade assets for the Heat, so they are a realistic trade option for Butler if the Heat are going to trade him.

Other Potentials

Orlando Magic (+700)

The Magic are one of the NBA’s up-and-coming teams so it makes sense they would want to take a shot at keeping Butler in Florida. With the Heat in the same division as the Magic, however, this seems like a bit of a long shot as Miami would likely rather trade Butler to a team in the Western Conference instead.

Philadelphia 76ers (+950)

The Sixers have had a rough start to the season but have recently turned things around. With older, injury-prone superstars like Joel Embiid and Paul George at the top of the team’s salary sheet, a reunion with Butler – who played 55 games for the Sixers in 2018-19 – makes sense if the team is going all-in and trying to take one last shot at a title with this core.

Memphis Grizzlies (+1000)

The Grizzlies have had a nice bounce-back year after missing the playoffs last season, and picking up a stud like Butler to pair with superstar Ja Morant makes a lot of sense. The Grizzlies have a lot of young players, draft picks, and salary-matching pieces to trade, so they are a serious contender to land Butler if he would agree to a trade there.

The Field (+850)

Several other teams in title contention were not mentioned as possible suitors in the betting odds, so the field is also a possibility for Butler to land. Keep in mind that the apron makes it difficult for tax-spending teams to make blockbuster trades, but it is certainly worth considering another squad not mentioned in this guide to pick up Butler in a trade.