In a quickly ramping development, the Memphis Grizzlies have entered the Jimmy Butler sweepstakes. The disgruntled Miami Heat star officially requested a trade last week and opened his options to any team.
Before his official trade request, Butler’s trade destinations were linked to the Golden State Warriors, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, and Houston Rockets. The Memphis Grizzlies swung and missed on Dorian Finney-Smith last weekend and appear to be looking into potentially adding Butler.
The Grizzlies are now the consensus betting favorites to be Jimmy Butler’s next team, per @DKSportsbook:
Grizzlies = +300
Suns = +400
Warriors = +450
Rockets = +500
Heat = +500
Moving from +3000 to +300 in 36 hours, and now ahead of Miami, Vegas must know something here. pic.twitter.com/Yhj3U0h2Bz— Evan Sidery (@esidery) January 5, 2025
The Grizzlies’ odds of adding Jimmy Butler rose from +3000 to being the favorite at +300 at DraftKings Sportsbook in less than two days. Those odds don’t come out of thin air, therefore solidifying the Grizzlies’ attempt at obtaining the star.
Memphis Grizzlies-Jimmy Butler Trade Scenarios
Due to Jimmy Butler’s contract ($48.8M) and his player option this summer for $52.4M, making a trade for him is both difficult to match salary-wise and a risk to retain him. The latter of those circumstances eliminates the easiest path to the first of the circumstances with the Grizzlies including Desmond Bane in trade for Butler.
Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman has consistently said that the Grizzlies’ big three of Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr. are virtually untouchable. However, executing a deal around Marcus Smart as the main piece is what has been projected from the Grizzlies.
NBA Fansided’s Lior Lampert proposed a deal that included the Grizzlies trading Marcus Smart, Brandon Clarke, Luke Kennard, a 2025 first-round pick, and a 2025 second-round pick for Jimmy Butler. The depth of the Grizzlies would allow them to absorb the loss of Kennard and Clarke with the ascension of Santi Aldama, Jake LaRavia, and Jay Huff.
The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie proposed a deal that he labeled as his favorite landing spot for Jimmy Butler to the Grizzlies in a three-team including the Detroit Pistons. His scenario included the Miami Heat receiving Tim Hardaway Jr. and two second-round picks from the Pistons (2025 and 2028), Brandon Clarke, Luke Kennard, G.G. Jackson, and a first-round pick (2025) from the Grizzlies.
The Grizzlies would receive Jimmy Butler and Alec Burks from the Heat, and the Pistons would receive Marcus Smart from the Grizzlies. The inclusion of GG Jackson in this deal is unlikely as the Grizzlies have a high opinion of their sophomore wing.
Spent the weekend in my Trade Machine art studio working on a Jimmy Butler masterpiece. Sorry to CJ McCollum for not fitting him in.
NO also gets: Mem 2026 1st, Mia 2029 1st, Det 2029 pick swap (top-8 prot).
PS: You can sub Ingram for Zion and NO gets less from Miami. pic.twitter.com/AxTPDdxGyo— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) January 5, 2025
The Ringers’ Bill Simmons proposed a four-team deal that included the aforementioned Detroit Pistons and the New Orleans Pelicans. His package included New Orleans’ Zion Williamson being sent to the Miami Heat, while Tim Hardaway Jr., Luke Kennard, and GG Jackson went to the New Orleans Pelicans.
Again, the likelihood of the Grizzlies including GG Jackson in any scenario is slim. However, all trade scenarios include Marcus Smart, Brandon Clarke, and Luke Kennard, meaning this is likely the package the Grizzlies are actively presenting.
One thing is for sure, the Grizzlies are in the market for a big wing with defensive versatility, and Jimmy Butler checks that box plus more. Obtaining Butler for depth pieces seems like a longshot from the Miami Heat’s standpoint, but trading their star before the trade deadline might be a necessity if they want to have a somewhat successful season.
The Memphis Grizzlies are active on the trade lines this season and they have the pieces to include in any deal to secure their standing as an NBA title contender in the Western Conference.
