Memphis Grizzlies eye Jimmy Butler to help Ja Morant make deep playoffs run, reveals NBA Insider

The Memphis Grizzlies are interested in signing Jimmy Butler to play with Ja Morant ahead of the trade deadline.

Memphis Grizzlies eye Jimmy Butler to help Ja Morant make deep playoffs run, reveals NBA Insider

Grizzlies are interested in pairing Jimmy Butler with Ja Morant

The trade deadline seems far away for Jimmy Butler considering the saga with his team. The Miami Heat are not giving any clear signals about the star’s position in the team. The team has suspended the star again for two games. Despite the team not making any visible movements, other organizations are open about their interest in Butler. The Memphis Grizzlies are revealed to be eyeing Butler.

Many teams joined the race to acquire Jimmy Butler as soon as he announced his trade request. ESPN’s Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst made a list of these teams, adding the Memphis Grizzlies. According to the report, the team has been in contact with the Heat regarding Butler. The team has two intentions with Butler. The first is a better playoff run along with free cap space for other contract extensions.

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Despite playing decently in the regular season, Memphis has been struggling during the postseason. As the team’s main man Ja Morant was absent last season, the team could not even make it to the playoffs. Now that Morant is back and healthy, the team is turning toward ‘Playoff Jimmy’. Adding the competitiveness of Butler would certainly help the team for a run at the championship.

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Morant is known for his offensive and playmaking abilities in the Grizzlies. Beside him, Jaren Jackson Jr. consistently contributes to the scoring as well as the defensive side of the court. Butler is in some ways a blend of the two players, performing at both ends. The star can become a good fit in the roster but Butler seems to have different plans.

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Jimmy Butler is willing to move anywhere ‘with the exception of Memphis’

Despite the Grizzlies being interested in Butler, the player has no reciprocal feelings. There is a list of teams fighting for Butler with the Phoenix Suns leading from the front. Butler seems to have cleared his intentions with Phoenix, but the star is also open about his dislikes. Earlier this month, it was reported by Yahoo that Butler does not want to join the Milwaukee Bucks.

Seemingly, the 35-year-old is also on the same par with Grizzlies. During NBA Today on ESPN, Marc J. Spears revealed Butler’s intentions with Memphis. The reporter gave a contradictory statement as Butler has an ‘anywhere but Memphis’ stance.

Spears also reported that Butler’s next stop would likely be his final destination in the NBA. “I was told today from someone close to the situation that his wish list is just out of Miami, with the exception to Memphis,” Marc J. Spears said.

The Butler trade drama has been going on for a long time with updates coming up every day. Butler and Heat’s relationship keeps getting worse with another suspension to the player’s way. The decision might get announced close to the trade deadline of February 6th as the front office is not reaching a conclusion.