Report: Jimmy Butler Could Bolt Heat for Rival Eastern Conference Team in 2025

There have been a number of rumors this offseason as to the future of Jimmy Butler in Miami for the long term (however "long" a term there is for a 35-year-old player).

The latest one would seem to be a head-scratcher on the surface, as New York Post reporter Brian Lewis has linked Jimmy Buckets to the Brooklyn Nets. Yes, the same Brooklyn Nets that have started a complete tear-down this summer after trading away their star Mikal Bridges.

But according to Lewis:

Butler isn't just open to Brooklyn, but fond of it, sources told The Post. No, he's not a Net and might never get close to becoming one, but to dismiss the possibility out of hand is foolish.

Butler originally came into this off-season looking for an extension from the Miami Heat, but when one wasn't forthcoming, he changed his mind and decided to set his sights on becoming a free agent after the coming season, meaning he will not pick up his $52 million option for 2025-26.

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald says the Heat are not looking to trade Butler, however, and want to make another run at it with him in tow for the coming campaign.

Butler averaged 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists for the Heat last season, his 5th year in South Beach. He's led Miami to the NBA Finals twice, and the Eastern Conference Finals once.

The Nets, meanwhile, are in the midst of tearing things down, so it would seem the only way Butler would head there next summer would be if another star free agent or two joined him in Brooklyn.