Grading The Four-Team Trade Involving Jimmy Butler and Andrew Wiggins
February 6th, 2025
By Alan Lu
After there was a feud brewing between Jimmy Butler and Pat Riley that led to Butler’s repeated suspensions when he was on the Miami Heat this season, it was long rumored that he wanted out of Miami. Approaching the trade deadline, Jimmy Butler was traded to the Golden State Warriors in a deal that netted the Miami Heat Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson, PJ Tucker, and a 2025 first round pick. In addition, the Detroit Pistons and the Utah Jazz were also a part of this deal, as the Pistons were able to get Dennis Schroder, Lindy Waters III, and Josh Richardson, and the Jazz were able to get Kenyon Martin Jr.
Jimmy Butler and Stephen Curry will be teammates on the Warriors, and there is renewed hope that maybe the Golden State Warriors could get back to the playoffs this year in 2025. (Photo: Cary Edmondson/Imagn Images, via WJHL)
The Golden State Warriors received:
The Warriors received a very talented, but mercurial superstar that has been superb when motivated, and a distraction when disgruntled. They recently signed him to a massive, two-year extension, so if Butler buys into Golden State’s team, they would be getting a great player. I expect this move to pay dividends immediately, but the question is how long will it last past this season?
But if he plays like the Jimmy Butler everyone knows he’s capable of being, then he could be a tremendous acquisition for the Warriors, as he was having a very good season before he and Pat Riley got into an unnecessary feud that led to his suspensions. Butler would slide right into the role Andrew Wiggins played, but could be like a significant upgrade version of him. Right away, Butler would provide superb scoring, solid playmaking skills, and strong defense and all-around play, assuming that he buys into their team concept and plays hard.
On the downside, the Warriors traded away several key players, such as Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson, and Lindy Waters, and dealing them away for Butler could disrupt their team chemistry. It’s a gamble, but the Warriors have been having a mediocre season with an all-time great superstar Stephen Curry and head coach Steve Kerr, and with defensive ace Draymond Green on their team, and their title window may be closing, which is why they may the gambit to make this trade to acquire Butler.
Trade Grade for the Golden State Warriors: B+
Former All-Star and NBA champion, Andrew Wiggins will be joining the Miami Heat this season.
(Photo: Sam Navarro/Imagn Images, via Sports Illustrated)
The Miami Heat received:
Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson, PJ Tucker, 2025 first-round pick (GSW protected)
It was made very clear that the riff between Jimmy Butler and Pat Riley’s Miami Heat was so big that Jimmy Butler was never going to play another game for Miami, which was made evident when Riley had chosen to suspend Butler indefinitely. Therefore, the sensible move would be to trade Jimmy so that all parties can move on, which is what the Heat did, and they were able to get a slew of some solid role players and a promising draft pick in return. They get rid of a player whom they regarded as a distraction, and they get players that will buy into their team concept and into “Heat Culture.”
Andrew Wiggins was a vital member of the 2022 Golden State Warriors’ team, and is a one-time NBA All-Star. While he’s not quite regarded as an elite player, Wiggins is quietly having a good season, and he is a two-way forward that excels as a complementary scorer and can guard the top players on the floor.
Kyle Anderson has been a solid role player whose brought strong playmaking and defensive skills, though his inconsistent outside shot may limit his effectiveness. Still, he’s been a solid role player off the bench, and can start when called upon to do so. PJ Tucker hasn’t been as effective recently as his playing time has dwindled, and has known to be too passive on offense, but he is a strong, 3 and D role player that has historically excelled as a corner shooter. Not much may be expected of Tucker nowadays, but at the minimum, he is a tough, veteran player that will buy into the Heat Culture. Plus, the Miami Heat get an extra draft pick that can help them in the future. Overall, though some may be displeased with their haul, they got a solid group of players and a pick to help them both in the present and future.
Trade Grade for the Miami Heat: B
The Utah Jazz will be getting Kenyon Martin Jr. to join their team this season, and he was playing well for the 76ers this year. (Photo: Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Imagn Images, via Sports Illustrated)
The Utah Jazz received:
Technically, all they gave up was the contract of PJ Tucker, allegedly, who never played for them, and they received a very athletic, energetic swingman in Kenyon Martin Jr., who can play in a 3 and D role for them. As the Jazz are struggling to get wins this year, there may be minutes to be had, and Martin could be a solid contributor for them both in the present and the future.
Trade Grade for the Utah Jazz: B
Dennis Schroder played well in Brooklyn, but not as well in Golden State, but maybe he’ll find his groove again in Detroit, especially when the second half of the season ramps up.
(Photo: Cary Edmondson/Imagn Images, via Locked on NBA – Locked On Podcast Network)
The Detroit Pistons received:
Dennis Schroder, Lindy Waters III, Josh Richardson
The Pistons technically gave up Kenyon Martin Jr., who never played for them, and they add three solid role players, as Waters and Richardson are skilled swingman that can excel in a 3 and D role. Richardson is an athletic swingman that can provide some playmaking prowess and solid defense, but is having a really down season. Schroder is a speedy point guard that can score in bunches, as he played well in Brooklyn, but struggled in Golden State. Waters is a sharpshooter that has above average athletic gifts, but is having a down season this year. On paper, this sounds good, but they are getting a bunch of role players that are having down seasons, as both Waters and Schroder struggled in Golden State this year, and Richardson has played poorly in very little playing time this season. But if they play up to their standards, just maybe they might be able to help Detroit towards a surprising playoff push.
Trade Grade for the Detroit Pistons: B-
Here are the trade grades for the four teams that were involved in this deal.
Golden State Warriors: B+
Miami Heat: B
Utah Jazz: B
Detroit Pistons: B-
I think all of the teams did a solid job of making and facilitating this trade (details of this trade can be found via SalarySwish). The Warriors didn’t have to trade Jonathan Kuminga, and an inspired Jimmy Butler could help them get rejuvenated and back to the playoffs. The Miami Heat are able to move on and add some solid players that will buy into their team culture, and the Jazz get a solid role player that can help them both now and in the future. As for the Pistons, they are getting Dennis Schroder, a talented point guard that has been up and down this season, as well as a couple of role players that are having down seasons, so that could be interesting. Overall, I think this trade served its purpose, and it should be exciting to see how Golden State and Miami will play moving forward.