Report: Grizzlies among teams told not to trade for Butler
Jimmy Butler may be unable to choose where the Miami Heat will trade him, but he can influence where they won't.
The Memphis Grizzlies are one of multiple teams that have been advised not to make the Heat an offer for the veteran, sources told NBA insider Chris Haynes.
Butler has leverage regarding his future as his contract contains a $52.4-million player option for next season, which he said he intends not to exercise to enter free agency in the summer. That presents a risk for teams interested in meeting Miami's trade demands but unable to agree on an extension with Butler.
Memphis possesses multiple tradable contracts that could offset Butler's incoming $48.8-million salary in a swap while bringing in a third All-Star-caliber player alongside core duo Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. The Grizzlies sit third in the Western Conference and seven games behind the No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder.
In exchange for Butler, Miami could request a combination of established names from Memphis, including Desmond Bane, Marcus Smart, or Brandon Clarke. That would allow the Heat to flesh out the depth around their other top scorers, Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo, helping keep them competitive in the East.