Ranking Jimmy Butler’s three best landing spots

All signs point to the Heat trading Jimmy Butler before the Feb. 6 deadline. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Butler will welcome a move to at least two Texas-based teams, the Warriors and Suns. 

Here, we rank his three best landing spots based on basketball fit and whether his addition would move his new franchise closer to a title.  

No. 3: Minnesota Timberwolves

The Timberwolves were not on Butler’s reported preferred destinations, but they could use his services — now more than ever. The franchise is facing an identity crisis since trading Karl-Anthony Towns. Besides losing its defensive edge, it has struggled to close out teams in the clutch, as evidenced by its 7-10 record in games decided by single digits in the final five minutes. 

Minnesota needs a calming presence in late-game situations and a co-star to share the workload with Anthony Edwards. On Monday, for example, Edwards was the only offensive threat on the floor due to Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo’s cold shooting nights, leading to the Hawks trapping and denying him the ball.

The feisty personalities of Edwards and Butler could mesh, making Minnesota a force to contend with.

No. 2: Golden State Warriors

This is a simple case of the Warriors needing to maximize Stephen Curry’s prime and Butler being the best player available via trades. In terms of basketball fit, Butler — an ISO player who attempts only 1.4 catch-and-shoot FG per game — doesn’t exactly fit Golden State’s system. 

However, he will bring defensive tenacity, leadership and other intangibles that can’t be measured. Furthermore, Butler’s USG% has dropped to 20.8 this season, his lowest since the 2013-14 season. In recent years, he has increasingly deferred to Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo, and there’s no reason he can’t do the same with Curry and Co. 

The Warriors could also benefit from his ability to dribble-penetrate — they rank 26th in drives, and Butler, 35, is still above average at getting to the rim and making plays. 

No. 1: Houston Rockets

The young Rockets don’t have a go-to option down the stretch. In some games, it’s Fred VanVleet’s turn to take them home, and other situations call for Alperen Sengun or Jalen Green. 

While the by-committee approach is working for the second-seeded Rockets (20-9), one wonders if they could use a true closer like Butler, especially in the postseason. Another reason the Rockets make the most sense is they don’t have to gut roster depth to land Butler, unlike his other preferred destinations. 

Houston could theoretically trade VanVleet’s expiring contract, Jeff Green and a few first-round picks while retaining its core. Butler would be going into battle with a host of young thoroughbreds backed by the proven head coach in Ime Udoka. It also helps that Butler is a Houston native.