Mavericks fall into Heat's trap, land Jimmy Butler in wild proposal

The last few weeks have been crazy for the Dallas Mavericks.

They have been without both Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving for significant time (until last night when Irving returned), and this has caused them to slide some in the standings. Dallas is 22-18 and the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference after last night's loss to the Denver Nuggets, and they are 2-5 in 2025 so far.

The injuries to both superstars have thrown a wrench into Dallas' plan of pursuing a top seed in the Western Conference for now until Doncic returns, but there is no panic in that locker room. The Mavericks should be confident, as they are still one of the top contenders in the league when fully healthy, and it doesn't look like they will be making a blockbuster trade at the deadline as they have in years past to shake up the roster considering how well they've played at times this season.

The same can't be said about the Miami Heat, as the Jimmy Butler situation is seemingly getting more wild by the day. Butler originally listed Dallas as somewhere he'd like to play if the Heat are going to trade him, and it is definitely looking like Butler will be playing for a different team by the time the February 6 trade deadline rolls around.

Mavericks make massive trade for Jimmy Butler in blockbuster proposal

Despite the Mavericks reportedly not showing interest in a trade for Butler to this point, this hasn't stopped people from speculating about what a potential trade would look like between the two teams.

Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report recently put together a list of trades that "every NBA team should pursue right now," with Dallas' trade being with the Heat for Butler.

In Swartz's proposed move between the Mavs and Heat, Dallas would be giving up P.J. Washington, someone who has been one of the most important players on the team, along with Naji Marshall, Daniel Gafford, Maxi Kleber, and their only two tradeable first-round picks.

This is an extremely steep haul for Dallas to give up for Butler, and if they were to make this move, they'd form a strong big three of Doncic, Irving, and Butler. The Mavericks would have one of the most star-studded rosters in the NBA, but the depth given up to acquire Butler may prove to be too much in the end.

Grading the trade for the Miami Heat

If Pat Riley was somehow able to talk Nico Harrison into making this trade, the Heat organization would be jumping with joy.

Despite Riley trying to make it seem like the Heat wouldn't trade Butler earlier this season, Butler's trade value has likely gone down significantly as of late with him doing whatever he can to get out of Miami. Butler forcing his way off of teams has become common practice over the later parts of his career, and he has shown his true colors recently with his demands to be sent elsewhere.

If Dallas agreed to this trade, Miami would be getting one of the best contracts in the NBA with Washington, one of the better backup centers in the NBA to play behind Bam Adebayo in Gafford, a great piece off the bench who is also on a great contract in Marshall, and two first-round picks.

There is no chance in the world that Dallas would ever propose this trade, to begin with, but if they did, Miami would be starting the post-Jimmy Butler era on the right foot.

Potential starting lineup: Tyler Herro, Terry Rozier, Haywood Highsmith, P.J. Washington, Bam Adebayo

Grading the trade for the Dallas Mavericks

While the Mavericks would have an incredible big three if they were to make this trade, they'd be giving up five major parts of their future (Gafford, Marshall, Washington, and two first-round picks) for a rental on Butler. He is expected to opt out of his contract after this season and become a free agent, and the Mavericks giving up this much depth for potentially half of a season is a major risk that could turn into a disaster.

Harrison has shown in the past that he hasn't been afraid to take big swings at the trade deadline to improve the roster, but this doesn't even seem like a move that would pan out for Dallas. The Mavs need to refrain from trading their depth as much as they can at the trade deadline, as elite depth is needed to make a run to the NBA Finals, and their rotation would be running thin if they made this move.

Butler would give the offense another star to pair alongside Doncic and Irving who is a great cutter, finisher, and a good secondary playmaker, but the risk is nowhere near the reward. All of the pressure would be on Dallas' shoulders to go win the title this season, and their future would be nonexistent in terms of draft capital as their only two tradeable first-round picks would be sent to Miami.

If Dallas was able to guarantee that Butler was going to re-sign with them over the offseason, this trade would be a little bit better for them, but it's almost guaranteed that this trade would be disastrous for the Mavs.

Potential starting lineup: Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, Jimmy Butler, Dereck Lively II

Mavs fans can rest assured that the odds of a Butler to Dallas trade seem nonexistent right now, and the Mavericks would never give up a package like this for one player to begin with. Dallas' search for frontcourt depth and defense will likely continue elsewhere, and we'll have you covered with all the latest.