In the continuous progress of this season's regular season, some teams in the league inevitably encounter bottlenecks in their development. Taking the Kings as an example, they were once a dark horse team in the West that attracted attention, but recently they have experienced a disappointing five-game losing streak. This series of defeats directly led to the sudden departure of head coach Mike Brown, and at the same time, the team's core members were also placed on the cusp of trade.
The situation of the Suns is also noteworthy. Although they boast the most luxurious lineup in the entire league, the combination of top scorers Durant, Booker, and Beal should have made the team invincible, but in reality, their record has never reached expectations, hovering just at the edge of the playoffs, appearing somewhat unworthy of their reputation.
The Bulls have been mired in trade rumors since the beginning of the season. Star player Zach LaVine is in an awkward position due to contract issues, and his high salary, which is considered unreasonable, makes him rarely sought after in the transfer market. The Bulls are thus caught in a dilemma, finding it difficult to achieve transformation through rebuilding, and also struggling to improve their record based on their current roster. If not adjusted in time, it may miss the development opportunities for the next few years.
In addition, the Warriors and Heat, two traditional powerhouses, are also facing unprecedented challenges. The Warriors showed strong strength at the beginning of the season, achieving a record of 12 wins and 3 losses in the first 15 regular-season games, once leading the West. However, the following 15 games were like a roller coaster ride, with the record plummeting to only 3 wins and 12 losses, the win rate returned to 50%, and the ranking plummeted to the mid-to-lower reaches of the West. Looking at the data, although the Warriors' core scorer Curry is the highest-paid player in the league, his average score this season is only 22.5 points, and his aggressiveness on the offensive end has significantly weakened. The state of former All-Stars such as Wiggins and Draymond Green is far from what it used to be, and new recruit Schroder's performance is far below expectations. Since joining the Warriors, his shooting percentage is less than 30%, and his three-point shooting percentage is extremely poor.
The Heat is even more deeply mired in an unprecedented predicament. Although their current record is still acceptable, ranking sixth in the East, star player Jimmy Butler has the idea of leaving the team. According to ESPN's well-known reporter Shams, Butler hopes to be traded away before the February 7th trade deadline, leaving Miami where he has served for many years. Although the Heat management was shocked by this, they also expressed their willingness to listen to trade offers for Butler. Butler himself hopes to join a team with championship potential in the trade. Heat beat reporters Barry Jackson and Anthony Chiang revealed that Butler is extremely disappointed with the team's current situation, and his departure will undoubtedly add more uncertainty to the Heat's future. After careful consideration and analysis, the core reason lies in the fact that the Heat failed to meet Jimmy Butler's expectation of a two-year, $113 million early renewal contract during the offseason. This contract condition was originally set by Butler, and if the Heat had proposed it when the free agency opened last summer, Butler would undoubtedly have accepted it willingly. However, the Heat's refusal directly prompted a subtle change in Butler's mentality.
Given the current situation of the Warriors and the Heat, well-known journalist Marc Stein has carefully conceived a four-for-one trade proposal: the Heat will send Butler to the Warriors, while the Warriors will reciprocate with Kuminga, Wiggins, Waters, and a second-round draft pick. Thus, we may bid farewell to Butler and welcome this epic trade plan. Curry will gain an All-Star-level capable assistant, and the Warriors will also aim for the glory of the championship with this move.
For the Heat, Butler's contract value for the current season is as high as 49million,andheholdsaplayeroptionworth52 million for the 2025-26 season. Given that both sides failed to reach an agreement on renewal this summer, it seems that the Heat and Butler are ready to turn the page on the "Butler era" and instead focus on a new lineup centered around All-Star center Adebayo and Taylor Herro, who is in the rising stage of his career.
Looking at Butler's performance over the past two seasons, his enthusiasm in the Heat has indeed waned, with his average score this season dropping to 18.5 points. This is due to the Heat's focus on cultivating other core players, and also reflects the gap between the Heat's current lineup and championship-level teams. In the late stages of his career, Butler can no longer replicate his peak statistics, so choosing to leave the Heat is undoubtedly a wise decision for him, who aims to compete for championships.
As for the Heat, gaining Kuminga and Wiggins from the Butler trade is undoubtedly a valuable operation. Kuminga has huge potential and is gradually showing his talent in the Warriors, with both shooting and impact, and is full of vitality in the game. Although Wiggins has not fully met the expectations of being the "No. 1 pick," he has remained stable since joining the league, with reliable average contributions, and at the peak of his career, he is always ready to usher in the second spring of his career. If the Heat can successfully introduce these two players, it will undoubtedly inject new vitality and hope into the team. After careful consideration, it can be foreseen that the team's immediate combat effectiveness will be significantly enhanced. At the same time, Curry of the Warriors will no longer fight alone, welcoming a true All-Star partner - Butler. Although Butler's statistical performance in the regular season is not particularly eye-catching, he is undoubtedly a player with great potential, especially in key moments, playoffs, and tough battles, where he always demonstrates extraordinary strength and influence. His joining will undoubtedly reignite the Warriors' hope of competing for the championship.
It is worth noting that both Butler and Curry are already 36 years old, and they are in the twilight of their careers. However, it is precisely this age background that makes their cooperation more precious and significant. The two veterans working together can not only support each other on the court, but also write a legendary story together in the last few years of their careers, avoiding any regrets.
Regarding this trade plan involving four players for one player, its profound significance and potential value cannot be overlooked. We can't help but ask, can such a trade bring new vitality and competitiveness to the Warriors? Can it help Curry and Butler realize their championship dreams together at the end of their careers? This trade plan is undoubtedly worth our in-depth thinking and expectation.