The Miami Heat (3-4) are doing everything in their power to get their fourth NBA title and Jimmy Butler’s first-ever title. The Heat have been to the NBA Finals twice under the leadership of Butler, but time is running out for the six-time NBA All-Star.
One season after losing to the Denver Nuggets in five games in the 2023 NBA Finals, the Heat finished the regular season with an overall record of 46-36 and finished as the eighth seed. Miami would go on to lose to the eventual champions in the Boston Celtics in five games.
The Heat are making a big push to make Butler a part of their championship-winning franchise. Former NBA star and analyst Paul Pierce says it might be too late for a title in Miami and that he needs to join a superteam in order to get his first-ever ring either trade or free agency next offseason. Pierce had to say on Kevin Garnett’s KG Certified podcast.
“Jimmy to Golden State or going to the Bucks. Something like that makes a little more sense to me.
“If I’m 35, I want to go somewhere to where I got a chance for a championship at this point.”
Why Butler to Golden State
The most attractive place for Butler to win a title, outside of Miami, is with the Golden State Warriors (7-1). It would seem the Warriors have kept their window open for a championship push for another season or two. At 36 years old, point guard Steph Curry is still playing tremendous basketball. Forward Draymond Green is still playing strong on both sides of the paint. The Warriors have even found a way to replace guard Klay Thompson (now with the Dallas Mavericks) with a younger and more aggressive guard in Buddy Hield.
It doesn’t stop with the new big three. The Warriors are also utilizing three solid young players in Andrew Wiggins, Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody efficiently. Head coach Steve Kerr is maximizing the talent on this roster and creating multiple great units to play night-in and night-out.
Having a great two-player like Butler would only benefit the effort system that Kerr has installed with this team. Butler can be a more powerful defensive player like Green, but also still play elite offensive-minded basketball like Curry and Hield.
Why Butler to Milwaukee
These eight games haven’t been a smooth start for the Milwaukee Bucks (2-6) as they lack the hustle and discipline to win consistently. Forward/center Giannis Antetokounmpo is doing all he can on the court and on the sidelines to be a leader. Right now, neither head coach Doc Rivers or point guard Damian Lillard are leaders.
The Bucks got their second win of the season on Thursday thanks to Antetokounmpo and Lillard combining for 65 points against the Utah Jazz, the worst team in the league. This is a team that doesn’t have much of an offensive spark outside of the two stars and forward Bobby Portis coming off the bench.
Adding an elusive and aggressive scorer like Butler would add more scoring situations for a talented, but lackluster Bucks. On the other side of the court, the Bucks lack concern and situational awareness. Butler is one of the best players in the league in playing situational defense like switching on passes and transitioning to the other side of the court.
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