NBA Rumors: Jimmy Butler may have made a huge mistake by telling the Memphis Grizzlies to not trade for him.
With everything that has been reported over the last week, it's going to be extremely surprising to envision a scenario in which Jimmy Butler ever suits up for the Miami Heat again. However, Jimmy is certainly not making life any easier for the Heat as they reportedly explore the market for a potential trade.
There may not be a bigger misplay by Jimmy than the recent report that stated he (and his camp) has informed a few teams to not trade for him ahead of the deadline. According to Chris Haynes, one specific team that he's informed to not come after him is the Memphis Grizzlies. With where things stand at the moment, I can't help but think that could end up being a huge mistake on his part.
It's the worst-kept secret in the world that Jimmy wants to be traded to the Phoenix Suns and I'm not quite sure how realistic that is. Maybe Jimmy knows exactly what he's doing and there's a magical team that emerges in which they would want to take on the final two years of Bradley Beal's contract and is also one that he would waive his no-trade clause for. At least for now, that doesn't appear as if it's going to happen, no matter how much Phoenix attempts to disgruntled him by moving him to a bench role.
Why a trade to the Memphis Grizzlies could be the best outcome
And if the Suns aren't going to be able to get a deal done, which seems unlikely for the moment, the Grizzlies might be the next best option for Jimmy. Of all the teams that would be interested in making a move for Jimmy, the argument could be made that the Grizzlies are the closest to winning an NBA Championship. And that's what the rest of this season should be about - winning a championship while also proving he's deserving of a contract that the Heat refused to give him.
Depending on what the Grizzlies would have to give up, which probably wouldn't be much, there's a scenario in which Jimmy would be joining a top 3 team in the Western Conference led by Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr. If it is about winning, this could end up being a huge mistake by Jimmy.
Maybe it isn't about winning. Maybe this is all about getting HIS way after how he's been treated by Miami's front office. That's what it feels an awful lot like right now. I understand the lure to Phoenix as Jimmy wants to close out his career by playing alongside Kevin Durant. However, for as flashy of a move that would've been, it's the Grizzlies that may have given Jimmy the best shot to finish his career with an NBA Championship.
Jimmy has been effective in pressuring the Heat into this situation but he may have completely overplayed his hand with this most recent decision.