The team where Shaquille O'Neal wants to see Jimmy Butler

Just one week after reiterating his trade request to Pat Riley, Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler remains with the team. However, the trade deadline is just a couple of weeks away. Because of this, the forward is a name worth following in trade rumors.

So far, several teams have been linked to Butler. Among them are the Phoenix Suns, the Golden State Warriors, the Houston Rockets, and the Dallas Mavericks. However, there are no imminent trades at the moment. Naturally, many have speculated about the former Marquette student's destination. Among them, a basketball legend that Heat fans are very familiar with.

In a recent episode of his podcast, Shaquille O'Neal stated that he wants Butler to end up in Golden State. O'Neal mentions that Butler's style of play would work best in the Warriors' system. Despite the alleged interest of the Warriors in Butler, a trade does not seem likely. A recent article in The Athletic indicated that Golden State is not currently seen as a viable option for Butler.

However, according to a source close to Butler, the Warriors are currently not seen as a viable option, and there have been no notable discussions or proposals for any type of agreement made. Butler's history and reputation as a top-notch player are something the Warriors could use. There is some credibility to the idea that his mid-range repertoire and defensive prowess could elevate the Warriors to the next level of playoff threat. But Butler's age and injury history make him a risky choice. His price tag makes him an unsustainable option.

A complicated deal

Additionally, according to ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk, two Western Conference executives do not expect the Warriors to make any significant trade this season. "ESPN's Shams Charania reported on Christmas that Butler had Golden State on his list of preferred destinations. However, the two Western Conference executives expect the Warriors to wait until the offseason if they make a big trade, meaning retaining much of their assets in case a superstar becomes available."

As Butler is likely to reach unrestricted free agency in the offseason, it might make sense for the Warriors to simply wait until summer to pursue him if they are interested. However, sitting on their hands may not be the best move for them.

The Warriors started the season red hot. However, they are currently just 21-21 and are eleventh in the Western Conference. Moreover, they have a negative net rating and are the third least offensive team in the league. There is still a lot of basketball left. However, the Warriors are far from playing perfectly and risk missing the playoffs once again. Despite everything, with Stephen Curry still leading the way, it is hard to completely count out the Warriors. But if they want to make the playoffs, it is crucial for them to turn things around quickly.

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