The Miami Heat’s most pressing issue currently centers around the status of Jimmy Butler. The star forward has recently faced suspensions on three occasions and has made it clear he wants to be traded before the February 6 deadline. With less than a week remaining to finalize any potential deals, both Butler and the Heat organization are eager to make a change.
Whether or not a trade happens before the deadline is still uncertain, but it seems both sides are motivated to part ways. If Butler does indeed get traded, the Heat will be left with the task of finding a suitable replacement for a player who has helped guide them to two NBA Finals appearances since joining the team in 2019.
As Miami searches for a new addition to the roster, one name that has recently come into the conversation is De’Aaron Fox of the Sacramento Kings. Fox is widely regarded as one of the top point guards in the league and could provide the Heat with a long-term solution at the position.
According to NBA insider Shams Charania, the Kings are expected to begin trade talks regarding Fox before the deadline, sparking rumors that the Heat could be a potential suitor for his services. If the Heat can find a way to bring Fox to Miami, he could be the dynamic playmaker they need to keep their championship aspirations alive.
One of the more intriguing proposals floating around is a three-team trade idea, suggested by Ishaan Bhattacharya of FadeAway World. In this scenario, the Heat would send Butler elsewhere, while acquiring both Fox and Trey Lyles from the Kings. The Memphis Grizzlies would be the third team in the deal, receiving Butler to help bolster their roster for a potential playoff run.
In exchange, the Kings would receive a package that includes Marcus Smart, Brandon Clarke, Luke Kennard, and several future first-round picks — including picks from the Memphis Grizzlies and Miami Heat. This deal would allow the Heat to land one of the league’s top point guards, while also concluding the Jimmy Butler saga once and for all.
The potential benefits of such a trade are significant. For the Heat, they would secure a talented young point guard in Fox who could serve as a long-term building block for the future. Additionally, they could move on from the uncertainty surrounding Butler’s future with the team.
The Grizzlies, on the other hand, would receive a proven playoff performer in Butler, who could provide them with the scoring and leadership needed to make a deeper postseason push. Finally, the Kings would add valuable draft assets along with solid players who could help them remain competitive in the Western Conference.
In the coming days, all eyes will be on the trade deadline as the Miami Heat work to finalize their plans, potentially reshaping their roster for both the present and the future.