In stark contrast, Ben Simmons has faced criticism for allegedly faking injuries to avoid playing, has a troubled playoff history, and lacks a competitive edge. However, the two might soon become teammates.
Jimmy Butler’s name in NBA circles is closely associated with winning, hard work, and relentless drive. He has led two underdog Miami Heat teams to the NBA Finals and, despite recent tensions with the front office, is widely regarded as one of the league’s top players and arguably the premier playoff performer.
Recent trade rumors suggest that Butler is interested in joining Ben Simmons and the Brooklyn Nets. According to Nets Daily, “Jimmy Butler’s interest in the Brooklyn Nets is very, very real. Part of it is New York, and part of it is that Bernie Lee — who is Ben Simmons’ agent — is very satisfied with how his client has been treated by the Nets.”
Lee is also Butler’s agent. Ben Simmons, who was traded to the Nets from the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for a package centered around James Harden, has played only 57 games for Brooklyn but has earned over $100 million. Although he is widely considered to have one of the worst contracts in the NBA, Brooklyn’s appeal to Butler, who has his own injury concerns, is growing.
On paper, a team featuring Simmons, Butler, Nicolas Claxton, Cameron Johnson, and Cam Thomas should be competitive for a playoff spot. However, with the Nets holding four first-round draft picks in a deep 2025 draft class, their commitment to immediate success is uncertain.
Despite this, Brooklyn has the assets to facilitate a trade and should be considered a serious contender for Butler’s services.
**Brooklyn Nets and Miami Heat Mock Trade**
To accommodate the trade while retaining most of their 2025 picks, the Nets are expected to offer three picks instead of two. They would also include Dennis Schröder and hope Simmons remains healthy in a contract year. The trade would also bring two proven shooters to support Bam Adebayo in Miami, potentially enhancing his impact in the paint.
**Full Mock Trade Details:**
**Brooklyn Receives:**
– Jimmy Butler
– Bojan Bogdanovic
– Dorian Finney-Smith
– Dennis Schröder
– 2026 first-round pick
– 2029 first-round pick (via NYK)
– 2029 first-round pick (via HOU, DAL, or PHO)
**Miami Receives:**
– Bojan Bogdanovic (expiring deal)
– Dennis Schröder (expiring deal)
– Three future first-round picks
Bogdanovic and Schröder are on expiring contracts, providing the Heat with flexibility for the following summer. This flexibility could be used to acquire win-now players to complement Adebayo if the team does not tank. The 2029 picks would only come into play after Adebayo’s prime, allowing the Heat to consider a reset for the next decade.
For the Nets, this trade represents a significant risk. While Butler could elevate their performance and remove them from the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes, Simmons’ track record suggests he may not contribute significantly to a potential playoff run. The Nets are positioned to rebuild quickly with their draft picks, but acquiring Butler would limit their ability to draft high-end talent, especially if their own pick ends up near the top of the draft.
The Heat may not be eager to trade Butler immediately, but if the season takes a downturn, they might consider moving him to capitalize on the potential bidding wars from other teams.
