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[Saba Sports News] The chances of Jimmy Butler landing with the Golden State Warriors appear to be dwindling by the day.
The Warriors have been linked to Butler ever since the Miami Heat put him on the trade block in December, and tensions between Butler and the Heat have only escalated since then. However, despite Miami’s urgency to move him, Butler himself seems uninterested in heading to the Bay Area.
According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, Butler has informed the Warriors that he would not sign an extension if they traded for him. As a result, trade talks between Golden State and Miami have reportedly stalled “for now.”
For someone whose trade value has taken a hit in recent weeks, Butler is being especially selective. A recent report revealed that he has two teams on his no-trade list—though the Warriors weren’t even among them.
Golden State, meanwhile, may not be all that eager to make a move for him either.
Butler holds a $52.4 million player option for next season, which presents a dilemma for potential trade suitors. If he excels post-trade, he could simply walk in free agency. If he struggles or clashes with his new team, he could opt in, locking them into his hefty salary.
Given Butler’s unpredictable nature throughout his career, any team looking to acquire him would likely want some level of security before diving into the Jimmy Butler business.