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NBA trade rumors: Latest on Durant, Butler and more potential trade targets
Very few trades have happened since the NBA trade deadline went buck wild with Luka Doncic, Anthony Davis, and De'Aaron Fox all finding new homes. Still, that doesn't mean the NBA rumor mill has been quiet. It's been quite the opposite, actually.
Amid those blockbuster trades, there have been other deals, such as the Washington Wizards trading Jonas Valanciunas to the Sacramento Kings. NBA social media is ablaze with rumors speculating where players might go, which teams are looking to add, and which teams are looking to sell.
Shockingly, the most popular name prior to the deadline, Miami's Jimmy Butler has yet to be moved, despite having been suspended from the team multiple times. However, as the deadline has drawn nearer new, big names have started to pop up like Phoenix's Kevin Durant. But with so little time left to get a deal done, is there a chance these rumors are just that?
Here are the latest trade deadline rumors from around the NBA.
NBA trade tracker: Jimmy Butler on the move, but where will he land?
Kevin Durant off the table for Golden State
It seems a reunion in the Bay Area is not in the works. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Warriors have abandoned their pursuit of Durant. While it is not yet known why such a decision was made, likely either too high an asking price, Duran't unwillingness to return, or the emergence of both Dallas and Houston in trade talks (although the Rockets are reportedly out now) as well, the Warriors are officially out.
Of course, the Warriors won't go down quietly, though. It's been well-documented that the Warriors are calling and inquiring about anyone and everyone with All-Star potential. Their backup plan appears to be Jimmy Butler.
The Warriors have now shifted their trade focus to acquiring Jimmy Butler, @TheSteinLine has learned, after abandoning the pursuit of Kevin Durant.
Durant's strong reservations about a Warriors return, first reported here, sent them in a new direction: https://t.co/bd3NQ89Jbu https://t.co/YK1Cosc3xD— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 5, 2025
Of course, attempting to land Jimmy Butler and actually making a deal happen are two entirely different tasks. Reports indicate that no team has called to discuss Butler's contract situation with Miami, insinuating that we aren't particularly close to seeing a deal happen.
That's a very large step that the buying team would have to take in order to land Butler at this point. With so little time, it appears more and more likely that Butler will have to begrudgingly stay in South Beach.
Potential haul for Jimmy Butler
Jimmy Butler has expressed he wouldn't sign an extension with Golden State. That alone will prove a difficult obstacle to overcome if Butler still feels that way. However, if Golden State is as serious about getting a trade done as Stein reports, they'd have to give up a king's ransom for the 35-year-old star.
NBC Sports believes a deal for Butler would require the Warriors to give up Andrew Wiggins, Dennis Schroder, multiple picks, and a few other young players. That's a lot to give up for someone who is not only past their prime, and has been a headcase everywhere he has gone, but also does not want to be in the Bay Area.
It has since been reported that the Warriors and Heat are finalizing a deal to bring Jimmy Butler to the Golden State.
Multiple teams eyeing Brandon Ingram
The Warriors' Plan B is Jimmy Butler, but it appears they have multiple backup plans. According to insider Jake Fischer, the Warriors are also in talks with New Orleans about potentially acquiring Brandon Ingram.
As Golden State continues sifting through trade options to add talent, the Pelicans are gaining traction on deal structures that would move Brandon Ingram, sources said. Toronto and Atlanta, we've reported @TheSteinLine, have been engaged with New Orleans: https://t.co/LxypvxNaJR
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) February 5, 2025
Brandon Ingram has been on the trade block for well over a year at this point, but it seems a deal is close. Not only are the Warriors interested though, Fischer reports that the Atlanta Hawks and Toronto Raptors are in negotiations for Ingram as well.
Ingram is on an expiring deal and would love to re-sign with whomever he ends up with. However, it is unlikely a new contract will be gifted to Ingram before the end of the season.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA trade deadline: Latest rumors involving Durant, Butler, more