May 12, 2019; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Philadelphia 76ers guard Jimmy Butler (23) dribbles the ball against Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) in game seven of the second round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Photo Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
The Miami Heat are finalizing a sign-and-trade deal to acquire All-Star guard Jimmy Butler from the Philadelphia 76ers in a deal that will likely require a third team, multiple outlets reported Sunday night.
Butler will reportedly sign a max-level, four-year, $142 million contract with the Heat, who had been reported Saturday as Butler’s likeliest destination. The full terms of the deal are not final, but the 76ers will receive wing Josh Richardson from Miami, which also must clear additional salary.
Various reports said point guard Goran Dragic or a package of center Kelly Olynyk and forward Derrick Jones Jr. would be sent to the Mavericks, but the New York Times reported Miami and Dallas could not agree on terms, and that side of the deal fell through. The Heat are now looking to move Dragic elsewhere, per the Times, to clear salary to make the Butler acquisition possible.
Before news of the deal, Butler was previously expected to meet with the Houston Rockets, who had reportedly been shopping Clint Capela, Eric Gordon and PJ Tucker in trades with hopes of clearing room to acquire Butler in a sign-and-trade.
The 29-year-old Butler averaged 18.2 points on 46.1 shooting in 55 games with the Sixers last season after arriving in November via trade from the Minnesota Timberwolves. A four-time All-Star, he has career averages of 16.7 points and 4.9 rebounds per game in eight NBA seasons.
Butler joins JJ Redick in leaving the 76ers, who reportedly re-signed forward Tobias Harris on a five-year deal and nabbed former Boston Celtics big man Al Horford on a four-year contract.
Richardson will join Philadelphia coming off a career season, having averaged 16.6 points, 4.1 assists and 3.6 rebounds — all career highs — in 73 games last season. The 25-year-old has career averages of 12.1 points, 2.9 assists and 3.2 rebounds in 259 career games (190 starts) since the Heat drafted him in the second round in 2015.
