Jimmy Butler seems intent on running things back with the Miami Heat in 2024-25. That doesn’t mean that the New York Knicks can’t make the Heat an offer for their franchise player.
CBS Sports’ Sam Quinn proposed a deal where the Knicks send Julius Randle, Bojan Bogdanovic, and future draft picks to the Heat in exchange for Butler (h/t Heavy Sports’ Jon Conahan):
Jimmy Butler’s winning pedigree could get the Knicks over the hump in the East
The Marquette product has been one of the most impactful players in the Eastern Conference since 2020. He’s led Miami to two NBA Finals appearances in 2020 and 2023. Butler has done so while delivering as one of the most clutch players in the league both in the regular season and playoffs.
The Knicks need an edge to get past the heaviest hitters out East next year. The defending champion Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks both have two-headed monsters leading their charges. While Julius Randle has been an All-NBA contributor for the Knicks in his five-year tenure with the team, his question marks in the postseason have not been conquered yet.
Butler’s clutch factor is what the Knicks need most on their roster
On the other hand, Butler has finished in the top 10 in clutch scoring per game in the playoffs in the last four postseasons he’s played in. Most recently, he came in at No. 5 overall with 4.6 points down the stretch in the 2023 playoffs at 46.2 percent shooting from the field. He also nailed 87 percent of his looks at the charity stripe. Miami went 7-3 in those situations.
Throwing Bogdanovic into the equation allows the Knicks to unload his expiring $19 million contract. New York also has enough draft picks to parlay some for a franchise-altering star.
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Butler’s low usage & maintenance would allow him to fit right in in New York
Next to Jalen Brunson, Butler could thrive. He isn’t a major volume scorer in the regular season. He put up 20.8 points per game in 2023-24 on only 13.2 field goal attempts a night. He hasn’t eclipsed 15 FGA since 2017-18. Thus, Brunson would be able to continue hoisting upwards of 20 shots per game as he did last season.
In turn, Butler can take over the reins in the playoffs and silence opposing clutch players like reigning Finals MVP Jaylen Brown, Damian Lillard, and Khris Middleton, among others. The Knicks would have their best shot to win a title with Butler at their helm starting in 2024-25. Anything except Jalen Brunson should be on the table if the opportunity presents itself.