The Miami Heat pivoted away from their tried-and-true way of winning in the last few years, trading a disgruntled Jimmy Butler to the Golden State Warriors. The package they got back in return was not an adequate return for someone of the mercurial star’s talents.
Now that the Heat have made their first-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft by bringing much-hyped Illinois point guard Kasparas Jakucionis to Miami, the haul for Butler has officially been finalized. It seems unlikely anyone involved in the return they will get in exchange for Butler will match his level of excellence
As part of a wild five-team deal, Miami sent out four second-round picks (two to Golden State, one to Toronto, and one to Utah) in addition to guard Josh Richardson. Miami’s haul back included Andrew Wiggins, Davion Mitchell, Kyle Anderson, and Jakucionis.
Miami Heat finalize Jimmy Butler trade deals after Kasparas Jakucionis pick
Jakucionis averaged 15.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game during his final season with the Fighting Illini. While he is a high-end scorer, passer, and shot-creator with the ball in his hands, he will need to take a big step forward as a shooter if he is going to become the next great Heat first-round pick.Jakucionis will likely fit in as a rotation player behind Tyler Herro early in his career, and the Heat should be right back in their familiar play-in bubble in what has become a truly rank Eastern Conference, but losing someone with Butler’s mindset and performance in the clutch won’t be filled by a rookie.
A three-headed monster of Wiggins, Bam Adebayo, and Herro, with Jakucionis and Kel’el Ware taking the next step forward in their development, could at least make the Heat worth watching. However, the lack of star power and isolation scoring is going to be a huge problem.
Butler will try to squeeze one more title run out of both his own career and the Warriors, while the Heat will try to turn the roster around once again without the big splashes Pat Riley has become known for in recent years.
