Warriors, Heat, Timberwolves Eye Blockbuster Jimmy Butler Trade

MIAMI, Fla. — The Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors, and Minnesota Timberwolves are reportedly exploring a potential three-team trade involving All-Star forward Jimmy Butler, according to ESPN‘s Brian Windhorst. The deal, which could reshape the NBA landscape, aims to address the needs of all three franchises as the Feb. 6 trade deadline looms.

The Heat, eager to move Butler following his indefinite suspension, are seeking short-term contracts to preserve cap space for the 2026 free-agent class. Golden State, in need of a secondary scorer to complement Stephen Curry, views Butler as a key piece to bolster their playoff aspirations in a competitive Western Conference. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves are looking to offload Julius Randle, whose fit in Minnesota has been less than ideal.

“The Warriors badly need a secondary scorer to pair with Curry,” Windhorst reported. “In a seemingly open Western Conference, the trio of Curry, Butler, and Draymond Green would be a threat to almost anyone in a seven-game series.”

Golden State’s Andrew Wiggins, who earns $26 million annually, is a likely centerpiece of the trade. While the Heat are hesitant to take on Wiggins’ long-term contract, other teams could be interested in the veteran wing, who has regained form this season after two down years. “Wings are generally in short supply around the league,” Windhorst noted. “Finding a new home for Wiggins won’t be hard.”

Randle, who has struggled to mesh with the Timberwolves’ roster, could provide the Heat with much-needed shot creation. Miami scores just 103.2 points per 100 possessions when Butler is off the floor, highlighting their offensive deficiencies. “Randle excels in that position,” Windhorst said. “If you just need him to come in and soak up possessions on a 45-win team, he’s perfect.”

For Minnesota, the trade offers financial flexibility. Swapping Randle for Wiggins would save the Timberwolves approximately $7 million this season, reducing their projected $91 million luxury-tax bill. “Every dollar is going to count,” Windhorst emphasized, as Minnesota looks to re-sign key players like Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker.

The proposed deal could also involve the Detroit Pistons as a cap facilitator, with Golden State potentially sending mid-tier salaries like Gary Payton II and Moses Moody to Detroit. The Warriors might also include a top-four protected first-round pick in 2025 to sweeten the offer for Miami.

While the trade framework appears logical, significant hurdles remain. “Figuring out a trade of this magnitude is never easy,” Windhorst acknowledged. “But unlike the Phoenix scenarios, there’s a sensible outline here.”

As the trade deadline approaches, all eyes will be on Miami, Golden State, and Minnesota to see if this blockbuster deal comes to fruition.