How to Approach Jimmy Butler as He Hopes for Trade | Fantasy Basketball Outlook and Trade Options

Not much is happening in the NBA right now. The NBA Cup is over, the All-Star Game is a ways off and the trade deadline is still a month-plus off.

Jimmy Butler has been in the headlines recently with all his comments regarding his tenure with the Miami Heat. He’s officially asked Miami to trade him, and I’m now here to assess Butler as a fantasy player.

We’ll take a look at his season so far, and then some possible outcomes for the rest of his season.

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Butler’s Numbers

Jimmy Butler has started all 22 games he’s appeared in this season, but is averaging just 30.8 minutes a game, which is his lowest mark since second NBA season.

Butler is averaging 17.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.4 blocks. He’s shooting 55.2% overall, 37.5% from 3-point land and 78.8% from the free throw line.

Butler is still looked to as one of the better forwards in the NBA. He was taken around pick 50 on average this fantasy season, and currently sits 51st on the Trade Value Chart.

Butler’s Future

Many NBA contending teams would love to add Butler to their teams, and Butler apparently doesn’t have a preferred destination, instead saying he is “open to playing anywhere other than Miami.” Instead of speculating what teams Butler may or may not join, let’s just say he joins a contending team, because rebuilding teams wouldn’t want to take on his contract and he’s a veteran player who would be happiest chasing an NBA title.

Butler would probably be best served as a team’s No. 2, or better yet No. 3, option. His averages right now would make him a really good No. 3 option, or just a pretty solid No. 2 guy.

As his trade value would suggest, Butler is still a pretty good fantasy asset. He’s not someone who is going to power a fantasy team, but rather be a nightly starter and top 4-6 player on the team. 

Butler’s Fantasy Outlook

I personally do not think there’s a trade out there that would negatively hurt Butler’s fantasy value from its current mark. If anything, a trade out of Miami should rejuvenate Butler and make him a better fantasy option wherever he goes.

That means I view him as a buy low trade candidate right now. He’s lived up to his preseason draft value so far, but a trade could vault him into a top-35 or so fantasy player.

Just like his real-life value, Butler would be best served on the rosters of contending fantasy teams, whether that be a keeper/dynasty league or a dynasty. His big name probably gives him a little more trade value than he’s really worth too, so those of you looking to trade him should be able to get a decent return for him still, despite his uncertain future and lower averages this season.

Butler is part of trending one-for-one trades on the FantasySP Trade Analyzer with Zach LaVine and Cameron Johnson.

The Butler, LaVine trade is extremely close on the analyzer, and has a 96% Fair Trade Rating. While Butler has higher averages in rebounds, assists, steals and blocks, LaVine is averaging nearly five more points a game. 

LaVine, or players ranked within 10 spots, either way, of Butler are good options if you are looking to swap Butler in a one-for-one deal.

Johnson is not one of those players, and the trade analyzer only has the Johnson, Butler trade as a 78% Fair Trade Rating. Johnson is averaging about two points more per game than Butler, but is further away from his rebounds, assists and steal numbers than LaVine is.

If Johnson were to be included in a trade for Butler in a standard league, I think a player would need to be added on both sides to even things out. This trade makes more sense in a dynasty league, but I still think Butler is worth a little bit more, at least.

If I rostered Butler in any leagues, standard or dynasty, I think the best course of action would be to trade him for a couple of assets, not just one. His big name should help you land a couple solid fantasy options in return - maybe more streamers and depth options in standard leagues and young players or picks in a dynasty/keeper league.

If you can’t get the offer you are hoping for with Butler, then I’d suggest waiting until he’s traded out of Miami. You could capitalize on his upside when a new destination is known, or just wait a few games after he’s traded and let his trade value rise a bit.