Jimmy Butler for Denver Nuggets Star? Denver Nuggets Star Could Find Perfect Fit with Miami Heat
The first trade of the NBA season has already been agreed, and more are set to follow.
The Golden State Warriors agreed a trade with the Brooklyn Nets for Dennis Schroder, who will come in to help Stephen Curry and co.
One of biggest name at the center of trade rumors is Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler, just as one NBA insider predicted in early October.
Butler is happy in Miami but has an expiring contract, and speculation has persisted, with the Phoenix Suns connected with a move last week.
Former NBA star Paul Pierce tipped Denver Nuggets as the team for Jimmy Butler – although working a trade is difficult.
Michael Porter Jr would be traded
The Denver Nuggets have a very finite number of assets to put towards a trade, to make it appealing to Miami.
If a deal was possible, it would very likely involve Michael Porter Jr being traded to the Heat, the Nuggets’ first round pick in 2018.
O’Connor explained that he believes Erik Spoelstra’s coaching would be exactly what the Nuggets star needs to reach a new level – and feels it would be a tempting deal for the Heat.
He said: “What could Spo do with Michael Porter Jr seeing the success he’s had with guys like Duncan Robinson and Max Strus.
“To me, I think in Miami you would see the best version of Michael Porter Jr that you’ve ever seen, so I do think, if you look at all the deals that get offered for Jimmy Butler, that construct could be at the top.”
Butler and Jokic would take Denver Nuggets to new level
The Denver Nuggets were the 2023 NBA champions, and while Nikola Jokic won the 2024 MVP, his team were unable to repeat.
This season Denver have been plagued by inconsistency despite outstanding performances from Jokic, summed up by him scoring 56 points in a loss to the NBA’s worst team, the Washington Wizards.
Adding a motivated Jimmy Butler into the team would make them a lot more exciting to watch, and more serious challengers.
O’Connor added: “For Denver, with Jimmy Butler, everything works with Jokic. Yes you’d lose some shooting, Jamal Murray can do more off-ball stuff after losing Michael Porter Jr.
“Butler would add something they are missing with downhill attack and playmaking and the two-man stuff with Jokic would be beautiful.”
