Are the Spurs Ready to Go All-In on Jimmy Butler?

For most of the 2024-25 season, the Miami Heat have been expected to trade Jimmy Butler. With a $52.4 million player option for next season, all signs point to Butler opting out and testing free agency. His age, injury history, and looming contract situation have made some teams cautious. But one thing is certain: Butler instantly elevates any roster he joins.

Enter the San Antonio Spurs—a team with a budding superstar in Victor Wembanyama and a front office armed with an arsenal of draft picks. Could San Antonio be the perfect landing spot for Butler?

Stephen Jackson’s Take: Spurs or Bust

Former Spur and NBA veteran Stephen Jackson believes there’s no better destination for Butler than San Antonio. Speaking on the All the Smoke podcast, Jackson confidently stated:

“The only place is the Spurs, everything else is fluff. The Spurs is the only spot because that way he’s going to end his career. He can get his contract and possibly have a great chance of winning a championship and bring some toughness to a team that don’t have no toughness.”

The Spurs, currently navigating a two-game losing streak after blowing double-digit leads to the Denver Nuggets and Chicago Bulls, could certainly use the grit and leadership Butler provides.

Chris Paul and the Grit Factor

Veteran guard Chris Paul, one of the Spurs’ key offseason acquisitions, echoed Jackson’s sentiments, emphasizing the team’s need for a tougher mentality.

“We got to figure out where we get that grit from,” Paul said after Monday’s loss. “In order to win these games, it’s just a different mentality, a switch that we got to find and flip.”

Paul also hinted at the urgency for the Spurs to capitalize on their current roster, saying, “Everybody’s not guaranteed to be here next year.”

A Perfect Fit for Wembanyama

The Spurs have an exciting young core, including Wembanyama, Devin Vassell, Julian Champagnie, Stephon Castle, and Jeremy Sochan. However, they lack the consistent toughness and veteran presence to close out games against elite competition.

Pairing Butler with Wembanyama, Paul, and Harrison Barnes could give San Antonio a formidable lineup capable of contending for a playoff spot immediately. It would also allow their young players to develop without the pressure of carrying the team too soon.

Wembanyama has already expressed his desire to compete at a high level, and adding Butler could signal the Spurs’ commitment to building a winning culture around their generational talent.

The Spurs’ Trade Arsenal

No team can outbid the Spurs if they decide to pursue Butler. With up to 36 draft picks available to trade or swap through 2031, San Antonio holds unmatched leverage in negotiations.

A potential package could include role players like Tre Jones, Keldon Johnson, and Zach Collins, along with draft capital. This offer would likely outshine what other suitors like the Golden State Warriors, Phoenix Suns, Memphis Grizzlies, or New Orleans Pelicans can provide.

The Time Is Now

The decision for the Spurs boils down to whether they’re ready to accelerate their timeline. Butler’s contract aligns perfectly with their window—he could help them compete for the next two seasons while their young stars gain experience. By the time Butler’s deal expires, Wembanyama and company should be poised to take over.

San Antonio’s path forward is clear: if they want Butler, they have the resources to make it happen. The only question left is whether the Spurs are ready to take the leap and go all-in on a season that could redefine their future.

For a franchise built on championships and sustained success, Butler could be the key to ushering in the next great era of Spurs basketball. The ball is in their court.