The NBA’s trade deadline is just a week away, and Jimmy Butler is no longer the most sought-after name on the market, as Kings’ standout De’Aaron Fox is also a candidate to be traded.
It seems there might be a possible bidding war for the 27-year-old player.
In the meantime, the Miami Heat appear to be lowering their demands for Butler. But what is the reason?
Additionally, Josh Giddey is unlikely to be traded in the near future, but one NBA team allegedly may show interest in the Australian guard later on.
The process for Fox’s possible departure from the Kings had already begun when he rejected a $165 million contract extension proposal from Sacramento last summer.
However, the anticipation, at least until reports emerged earlier this week that the Kings intended to explore trade options for Fox, was that discussions about Sacramento trading him wouldn’t intensify until the offseason.
That situation has clearly altered, although Fox informed reporters he was not the individual who asked for the trade.
“You would be aware if I did,” he remarked, as reported by Chris Biderman from The Sacramento Bee.
“That is a choice for them to determine.” “I cannot advise them to ignore offers, nor can I urge them to consider offers.”
Fox’s statements are backed by insights from NBA insider Jake Fischer, who mentioned on The Stein Line that it was the Kings who initially contacted Fox’s Klutch Sports representatives regarding a possible trade.
Sacramento informed several interested teams as early as last week that it was receptive to such proposals. “That’s the switched flipped in Sactown,” Fischer noted.
He further stated that despite Sacramento speeding up the divorce process, Fox’s “wavering commitment” to the Kings and his choice to decline their offer last summer “is what set this in motion towards a possible separation.”
It was logical for Fox to decline Sacramento’s proposal since he can agree to a four-year, $229-million extension this summer or potentially a five-year, $345 million supermax contract if he achieves All-NBA recognition.
Naturally, that choice also places Fox on a possible route to becoming a free agent following the 2025-26 season, which adds complexity to the situation of trading for him if teams doubt his long-term commitment.
San Antonio, the team that has been associated with Fox from the beginning and is commonly recognized as his desired location, shouldn’t encounter that issue.
The issue, though, is if the Spurs are interested in Fox and what they are prepared to sacrifice.
According to sources, as has been understood for a while, San Antonio is eager to secure a franchise point guard to complement Victor Wembanyama.
However, Fox is not the only player the Spurs have expressed interest in. Fischer mentioned that San Antonio contacted Cleveland regarding Darius Garland last year and also showed interest in LaMelo Ball from Charlotte. Despite both times, the Cavs and Hornets did not participate in the discussions.
Notably, Fischer additionally noted that Chicago’s Josh Giddey “has also been a young guard that San Antonio has considered potentially pairing with Wembanyama in the future.”
Giddey will turn into a restricted free agent following the 2024/25 season, which is a subplot to watch if San Antonio doesn’t obtain Fox or thinks he isn’t the ideal match.
Regarding what the Spurs might consider adding in a possible trade with the Kings, The Athletic’s Sam Amick stated that “there is substantial doubt in league circles” that San Antonio would be open to including rookie guard Stephon Castle, whom Sacramento “desires”.
The Sacramento Bee noted that discussions with San Antonio will probably include a mix of first-round draft picks and younger players such as Castle, Devin Vassell, and Jeremy Sochan.
In any case, the Spurs are expected to present the most appealing deal because of their belief in Fox agreeing to an extension, which reduces the risk involved.
The situation differs for those who might see him as more of a temporary option, and Amick noted that “over half” of the teams in the league have shown interest in Fox.
Which teams might be involved in trade discussions alongside San Antonio?
Fischer stated that the Los Angeles Lakers have “no intention whatsoever” of trading Sacramento’s “assumed primary target” in any transaction involving Fox: Austin Reaves.
In another context, he confirmed what fellow NBA insider Marc Stein had mentioned earlier this week: that the Houston Rockets have “no intentions” of pursuing a trade for Fox.
Additionally, Fischer noted that both the Rockets and Fred VanVleet share a “mutual interest” in prolonging his tenure (VanVleet’s contract includes a team option for 2025-26).
The Heat have been associated with Fox due to having maximum cap space for the summer of 2026, though they lack significant draft assets for a trade, while Amick noted that the Kings “are not interested in” Butler.
An alternative could be the Brooklyn Nets, given their salary cap flexibility and upcoming first-round selections; however, Fox might not align with their rebuilding schedule, and it’s uncertain whether he would be willing to endure that phase.
Just when it seemed likely that Butler would remain in Miami past the deadline, the Heat suspended the 35-year-old again for the third time.
Several NBA insiders suggest that this might have been the final straw, making it increasingly likely that Butler will be traded before February 7.
While on The Rich Eisen Show, Chris Mannix from Sports Illustrated referred to Butler’s third suspension as a “needle mover” that would hasten trade discussions.
“If you had asked me on Friday whether Jimmy Butler would remain with Miami past the trade deadline, I would have replied yes,” he stated.
“Due to the fact that the asking price for Butler has been quite elevated across the league.”
Mannix further stated that the Heat initially sought draft picks and younger players, as they were not interested in taking on any long-term contracts past the 2026 season.
Yet now? He indicated that the prevailing sentiment in the league, at the very least, is that the price has “decreased”.
This is backed by Yahoo’s Kevin O’Connor, who stated that the Heat have “reduced their demand for Butler because they’re fed up with his behavior.”
“And they prefer to receive something in exchange rather than allowing him to leave in free agency without any compensation,” he mentioned.
It continues to be true that any Butler trade will probably include four or five teams, with NBA insider Marc Stein stating earlier this week that Toronto, Washington, Charlotte, and Detroit are all reportedly “interested in assisting with a deal.”
Similar to San Antonio’s connection with Fox, Phoenix has frequently been identified as the clear destination for Butler. However, who might have other interests?
Stein noted that rival teams are questioning whether a Butler offer is on the horizon for the Bucks, although they can’t combine contracts for him unless they clear Pat Connaughton’s $9.4 million deal.
In other reports, O’Connor noted that Steph Curry and Steve Kerr have “worries” regarding Butler’s potential move to Golden State.
“My league sources validate these doubts, indicating that Curry has concerns regarding Butler’s compatibility in the Warriors’ locker room — a feeling echoed by head coach Steve Kerr,” he stated.
“Their concerns arise from Butler’s turbulent past with former teams.”
