Is Jimmy Butler playing tonight against the Brooklyn Nets? Latest on Heat star's availability (Dec. 23)
Jimmy Butler is ruled out for the Miami Heat when they host the Brooklyn Nets at the Kaseya Center on Monday. The veteran forward was doubtful with an illness and missed their Saturday skirmish against the Orlando Magic. Butler was in Miami's IR, as he was listed as questionable with a stomach illness ahead of the Nets showdown.
Earlier, Butler left the team during their 104-97 loss to the OKC Thunder with an illness and hasn't suited up since. The 6x NBA All-Star is averaging 18.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 55.2% from the field and 35.7% from the 3-point range in 20 contests. The Heat are sixth in the East with a 13-13 record and on a three-game losing streak.
Golden State Warriors and Jimmy Butler trade rumors continue to churn amid injury and illness setback
The Golden State Warriors have been one of the teams linked to Jimmy Butler amid rumors of the Heat superstar reportedly on the trade block. He was also linked to the Brooklyn Nets and the Phoenix Suns along with the Houston Rockets.
In their recent report, NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer reported that Golden State was the only franchise among the four teams that continued to hold their interest and could lead to "substantive trade talks." It's worth noting that the Warriors already added PG Dennis Schroder to their fold earlier last week.
The Bay Area outfit is also one of Butler's preferred trade destinations. Previous reports said that the Texas native was also open to suiting up for the Rockets and the Dallas Mavericks. Trading him to the Dubs elevates them as bonafide title contenders as he provides them with the much-needed spark on offense and pesky defense.
Any trade involving Jimmy Butler will likely see Golden State required to ship their young core involving Jonathan Kuminga and their guard duo of Moses Moody and Brandin Podziemski. Andrew Wiggins and draft capital come into the conversation as well.