NBA Trade Rumors: $55,000,000 deal could pair up Jimmy Butler & Giannis Antetokounmpo on Bucks 

Following the trade request by the Miami Heat's Jimmy Butler, numerous trade talks surrounding the All-Star have emerged. The Milwaukee Bucks were connected to Butler on Monday, possibly pairing him with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard.

NBA insider Brett Siegel reported the possibility of the Bucks landing the disgruntled Heat star via a trade. Siegel pointed out that Milwaukee is in the second apron, which means the team cannot aggregate salaries if it wants to trade for Butler.

However, Siegel noted that it's feasible to combine player wages to obtain the star forward. Consequently, the Bucks must pay out $55.3 million in wages, which is more than Butler has made this season. The 2024-25 NBA season will bring in $48,798,677 million for Miami's seasoned star.

The insider suggested that the Bucks package Khris Middleton, Bobby Porti, and Pat Connaughton. Together, the three players' salaries total up to $53.6 million. The fourth player they can add to reach the ideal $55.3 million is MarJon Beauchamp.

According to Siegel, the trade is hard but still doable.

Sending Butler to the Bucks would form a Big 3, giving Giannis and Dame the needed third option. Although the Heat star is averaging one of his lowest scoring productions since joining the franchise (17.6 points per game), he still adds value on the defensive end.

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Jimmy Butler could return to the Heat after suspension

After Jimmy Butler made his request public, the Heat suspended him for seven games. According to the franchise's statement, the suspension was because of "multiple instances of conduct detrimental to the team."

On Sunday, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reported there's a chance for Butler to remain with the team after his suspension. When it comes to granting the star's request, the Heat have not become serious. According to Chiang's source, he will rejoin the squad and play out the season if the suspension ends and he is still with them.

"As of now, the Heat is not interested in having Butler remain away from the team while paying him the remainder of his $48.8 million salary for this season after his suspension is over," Chiang reported.

Butler's suspension started on the Heat's 136-100 loss on Saturday against the Utah Jazz. Following that, there will be a stretch of six games where he won't play with the team. He can return from the suspension on Jan. 17 against the Denver Nuggets.