NBA trade deadline rumors: Where could Jimmy Butler, Bradley Beal wind up?

Posted by Admin January 10, 2025 NBA

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The NBA trade deadline is less than a month away, and given how popular it has become to make deadline deals in recent years — at least 10 have been made every year since 2018 — there’s a decent chance this is one of the most active deadlines we’ve seen in recent memory.

With players like Jimmy Butler, Zach LaVine, Bradley Beal, Brandon Ingram, and Nikola Vucevic all on the trade block, contenders are likely licking their chops at the plentiful opportunities to upgrade before the All-Star break.

Of course, the deadline is still a few weeks away, meaning there is plenty of time for injuries and other moves to happen that could alter teams’ willingness to make a deal. Other teams could see their seasons fall apart, turning them into sellers rather than buyers.

There are a multitude of trade deadline rumors floating around that will interest many NBA fans. Here’s the latest:

Golden State Warriors not interested in Zion Williamson

Prior to Victor Wembanyama, the most-hyped No. 1 pick in recent memory had to be Zion Williamson. However, since coming out of Duke, the Pelicans star has been ravaged by injuries, ultimately failing to live up to his pre-draft hype. Despite that, Williamson remains one of the best finishers in the NBA when healthy, and a huge piece that could skyrocket contenders to the next level.

Still, during a radio show appearance on Tuesday, Andscape’s Marc J. Spears claimed that Williamson is “not on the (Warriors’) radar.” Spears continued: “Because with Zion, you just don’t know what you’re going to get and when he’s going to be healthy, and his (salary cap) number’s rather high as well. I just think the Warriors in the end will get someone in a very creative way. They actually have to.”

Williamson holds a $36.7 million cap hit for the 2024-25 season, which is likely the main reason the Warriors are uninterested in adding him to their roster.

Jimmy Butler doesn’t want to go to Grizzlies

Jimmy Butler has made it very apparent that he wants out of Miami before the Feb. 6 trade deadline. NBA insider Chris Haynes reported Tuesday that the Memphis Grizzlies were advised not to trade for Butler.

What’s funny about this situation is that Butler doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract. However, his willingness to be detrimental to an organization he does not enjoy being a part of seemingly gives him more sway in where he goes.

Butler is currently serving a seven-game suspension from the Heat for conduct detrimental to the team.

Lakers not willing to trade Dalton Knecht

Rookie Dalton Knecht has been a bright spot for the Los Angeles Lakers so far this season. Despite teams seemingly willing to give up an awful lot to acquire him, he appears to be in the Lakers’ long-term plans, according to FOX Sports.

Alongside Knecht, the Lakers have apparently also made it known that they will not discuss trades for veteran forward Rui Hachimura, either.

Is Bradley Beal willing to waive no-trade clause?

Given Beal’s recent benching, undesirable contract, and the Suns’ underperformance this year, getting rid of Bradley Beal should be one of Phoenix’s top priorities this trade deadline.

Luckily, the Suns might already know where they can send him. Apparently, there are a few teams he’d be willing to waive his no-trade clause for.

The teams in question, per John Gambadoro, are the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami and Denver. The report does note that there may be more teams Beal is willing to go to, but those are likely the top teams on his list. If Beal does wind up in Miami, a trade for Jimmy Butler could be in the cards, but the Suns would likely need to give up a few draft picks in order to make the trade happen.