Nets could land next franchise star by joining a Jimmy Butler 3-team trade

Brooklyn is expected to chase its next star this summer, but could the Nets benefit now from six-time NBA All-Star Jimmy Butler requesting a trade out of Miami?

With Butler suspended for seven games due to 'conduct detrimental to the team' as the Miami Heat begins to navigate trade offers for a disgruntled distraction, The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie recently discussed the idea of a three-team Butler trade involving the Heat, Nets and Rockets that would bring 22-year-old guard and former No. 2 overall pick Jalen Green to the Borough. 

Nets Rumors: Vecenie’s 3-team Jimmy Butler trade

• Heat receive: Bojan Bogdanovic, De’Anthony Melton, Ziaire Williams, first-round pick and second-round pick (via BKN); Jeff Green, first-round pick and second-round pick (via HOU)

• Nets receive: Jalen Green, Jock Landale, Jae’Sean Tate and Aaron Holiday (via HOU)

• Rockets receive: Jimmy Butler and Josh Richardson (via MIA); Keon Johnson (via BKN)

Vecenie admits the Nets are most likely to say no in this trade scenario.

Much of the deal obviously depends on how Brooklyn values Cam Thomas, an impending restricted free agent, and veteran forward Cameron Johnson at the Feb. 6 deadline. If the Nets plan to part with Johnson and don’t see Thomas as a long-term part of their rebuild, a late 2025 first-round draft pick and expiring contracts isn’t a hefty price to give Green’s potential a chance. 

Based on this proposal, Brooklyn takes on a difference of close to $10 million with $40,150,461 in outgoing salary and $49,687,312 in incoming salary. The Nets would be off the hook for both Tate and Holiday beyond this season, while Landale is guaranteed $8 million in 2025-26.

Green just signed a three-year, $105 million extension with the Rockets last October, which wouldn’t exactly compromise Brooklyn's overall cap position should Johnson get shipped to another team, but his recent inefficiency – shooting career lows from both the field (41%) and three-point range (31.9%) this season – would be a significant concern for the Nets. The late first-round draft capital and incoming salary isn’t quite worth the risk for Brooklyn, although the organization could certainly afford to take a swing here if it sees promise in Green as the search for a new cornerstone intensifies.

We’ve witnessed the Nets turn a questionable former No. 2 overall pick into an All-Star before, remember? 

All things considered, it’s extremely doubtful the Nets get involved in the Butler sweepstakes from this angle, if at all honestly given what Brooklyn is positioned to do with other trades and free agency in 2025.