NBA Rumour Roundup: Do Suns and Warriors have non-Butler backup plans?

Buckle up folks, the NBA trade deadline is now less than a week away.

With the emergence of De'Aaron Fox onto the market and the ongoing Jimmy Butler saga in South Florida, the rumour mill is steadily spinning faster as top-tier names are there for the taking.

And while no team goes out big-game hunting expecting to come up empty, what happens if they do?

By all accounts, both Fox and Bulter have preferred destinations or at least a short list. The new apron-laden landscape has also made working the trade machine a mind-bending task. So, what you're left with is very choppy waters to sail through if you're a squad hoping to catch one of these hefty fish.

Teams appear to be recognizing that reality as even the most aggressive suitors are preparing contingencies.

For instance, two organizations that have been continually linked to Miami's scorned star since his official trade request a month ago, the Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors, are both rumoured to be eyeing other wing players in the meantime.

While the Suns seem to be after Atlanta Hawks sharpshooter Bogdan Bogdanovic according to Clutch Point's Brett Siegel, a more modest backup should they strike out on Butler, the Warriors seem to be remaining ambitious.

The Athletic's Anthony Slater reported that Golden State views Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine as a "safer option." The two-time All-Star is five-and-a-half years younger at 29 years old and would be roughly $6 million cheaper next year compared to Butler's $52 million player option.

LaVine may not be a two-way talent like Butler but he's been productive and available for Chicago this year, which can't be said for his counterpart in Miami. The Bulls guard has played in all but six games in 2024-25, averaging 24.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists while shooting a career-high 44.6 per cent from distance. His conversion rate ranks first in the NBA of players who attempt seven or more threes per game.

There's also new reporting that Golden State may have second thoughts on Butler's fit in the Bay area altogether. According to Yahoo's Kevin O'Connor, despite the Warriors inquiring about the Heat forward, star guard Stephen Curry and head coach Steve Kerr have raised "concerns" over Butler's potential fit in the Warriors locker room.

Golden State already has to manage the oft-animated Draymond Green, would another outspoken figure create too combustible of an environment?

Back to the Suns, for those still hoping for Butler to land in the desert, don't give up just yet. Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reported that Phoenix is still the most aggressive suitor for the 35-year-old.

However, while there remains a Bradley Beal-sized elephant in the room that isn't willing to go away — and aside from his no-trade clause, the Heat are also strongly opposed to taking on his contract, as he's owed over $50 million for the next two seasons and has a $57 million player option for 2026-27 — the Suns need to explore other options to improve the roster.

Phoenix is reportedly attempting to attach one of its newly acquired picks from Utah to centre Jusuf Nurkic, who's fallen out of favour in the rotation, in order to upgrade elsewhere. Hence their conversations with Atlanta for Bogdanovic. The career 38 per cent distance shooter is a target of multiple teams according to NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Suns among them.

At the end of the day, only one organization will secure Jimmy Butler's services. For the rest, smaller fish will simply have to do.

Could there be a Wildcats reunion in Miami?

No, not Troy Bolton's Wildcats.

Although, when it comes to sifting through even more rumours about the Heat, we're all in this together.

It's become evident that Fox's preferred destination, according to multiple reports, is San Antonio, as the guard appears intrigued by the idea of teaming up with Spurs phenom, and now All-Star, Victor Wembanyama. However, windows for the 27-year-old to land elsewhere are starting to creak open.

Yahoo's Vince Goodwill reported on Thursday that although San Antonio is the top landing spot for the Kings All-Star guard, there are other options he'd consider.

Goodwill explained that "there is a list," and behind the Spurs were the Heat and the Houston Rockets. Teams he believed to be in the "second tier" behind San Antonio.

And while both the Spurs and Rockets can seemingly outbid the Heat for Fox, it might not be so simple.

For starters, the Sacramento Kings "covet" San Antonio rookie Stephon Castle in return in a Fox deal, according to the Athletic's Sam Amick, but people around the league doubt the Spurs would let go of this year's No. 4 overall pick so soon.

Meanwhile, the Rockets appear committed to seeing how fair their group can go as presently constructed. They're already second in the West, rank fourth on defence and 10th on offence. Houston seems willing to wait things out till at least the off-season before making a big swing.

So, where does that leave Miami? Well, they'll have to hope Wildcats pride might be enough to lure Fox to South Florida. The guard was drafted fifth overall in 2017 out of Kentucky, the same year college roommate Bam Adebayo went No. 14 to the Heat.

Being on opposite coasts throughout their NBA careers has done little to quell their friendship, as the pair remain tight. Adebayo was even a groomsman at Fox's wedding three years ago and still describes their relationship as "very solid" per Miami Herald's Anthony Chiang.

For what it's worth, Adebayo has not gone out of his way to sell Fox on the move according to Chiang, as the Heat forward will "wait for the question" whether it's through a phone call or text.

Adebayo did say if asked about Miami's culture, he wouldn't sugarcoat things.

"It's not a recruiting pitch to me, I'm telling you the truth" the three-time All-Star explained. "There is no BS, there is no 'I'm going to get my numbers,' this is team basketball here. ... To me, if I consider you family like De'Aaron, I'm not going to lie to you."

As for figuring out a deal to get Fox on the Heat, that's another dilemma altogether. According to Amick, the Kings are not interested in pursuing the disgruntled Butler in any deal. Miami would instead have to presumably dangle some combination of draft capital, young wings like Nikola Jovic or Jaime Jaquez Jr. or rookie big man Kel'el Ware to make a move possible.

But hey, if the power of friendship (and a haul of first-round picks) can get the Brooklyn Nets to send Mikal Bridges to the cross-town rival New York Knicks for a Villanova reunion, maybe it can happen in South Florida as well.

And for what it's worth, there's even more college connections on the Heat. Now first-time All-Star Tyler Herro also went to Kentucky before Miami took him 13th in the 2019 draft. A Wildcats trio of Fox, Herro and Adebayo, all on the same timeline, makes for quite the intriguing group and would instantly revitalize the Heat's chances of contending post-Butler.

Fast breaks

• For some Canadian content, Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin is reportedly drawing significant interest in the trade market, per Los Angeles Times' Dan Woike. The Montreal native is reportedly being monitored by "nearly every team seen as a buyer" as he's averaging 16.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and shooting 36.4 per cent with a career-high 39 starts. According to HoopsHype's Michael Scotto, the 22-year-old was garnering interest from rival executives as far back as June.

However, a move doesn't appear imminent considering the Pacers' recent turnaround, and the youngsters' current price tag. However, Indiana's financial situation could get quite dicey in 2026-27 when Mathurin is up for restricted free agency. Pascal Siakam, Tyrese Haliburton and fellow Canadian Andrew Nembhard will account for just under 70 per cent of the team's cap space as a trio, so it might make sense to cash in on the youngster now in case they're forced to let him walk later.

• One of the earlier feel-good stories of the season was the return of Guerschon Yabusele. After six years away from the NBA, he found his way back to the league following an impressive run with France at the Olympics. He was then signed by the Philadelphia 76ers during the summer and has since proven he can hang, averaging 10.4 points and 5.5 assists with 50.2/39.3/70.0 per cent shooting splits in his 26.2 minutes a night. According to Scotto, several teams have expressed interest in the Frenchman at the deadline, including the Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets and Knicks. Should the 76ers refuse to move him, Yabusele can still walk as an unrestricted free agent in the summer.

• Among the reasons why Fox probably won't end up in Los Angeles — despite being represented by Rich Paul of Klutch Sports who also manages LeBron James and Anthony Davis — is what little the Lakers have, or rather, are willing to offer in return. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Kings want win-now players and draft capital for their star guard. Well, the Lakers reportedly remain uneager to part with future firsts and have "zero interest" in trading the highly-valued Austin Reaves, per Fischer. The 26-year-old is currently averaging 18.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.1 assists. Fischer added that Reaves would be Sacramento's presumed top target in any deal with L.A., so without him a move is unlikely. Oh, there's also the bit where Charania reported that Los Angeles is "not a destination of choice" for Fox.

• For some final rumour mill slop, New York is reportedly open to trading oft-injured interior anchor Mitchell Robinson, Boston appears willing to deal defensive-pest prospect Jaden Springer while Utah and Atlanta have discussed a trade centred around springy big man John Collins.