5 Blockbuster Deals That Would Blow Up the 2025 NBA Trade Deadline | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
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Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Jimmy Butler, Simone Fontecchio, Tim Hardaway Jr., 2025 second-round pick (via DET)
Detroit Pistons Receive: CJ McCollum, Jordan Hawkins, Lakers 2026 second-round pick (via MIA), 2031 second-round pick (more favorable of MIA/IND), 2030 second-round pick (second least favorable of ORL and NOP)
Miami Heat Receive: Brandon Ingram, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl
Let’s break down the motivations for all three teams as cleanly as possible.
Why New Orleans Does It: Butler is the hangup here. Having just lost Dejounte Murray to a season-ending Achilles tear and already stuck in the cellar, the Pels coul view Butler as an odd fit. But look at all the flexibility New Orleans gains. McCollum’s overpriced deal is gone, the Ingram saga is over and Hardaway’s salary comes off the books this summer.
The Pels also duck the tax and could have heaps of spending power if Butler declines his player option. In a worst-case scenario, they wind up having to hold onto Butler through the season, at which point they could try to flip him for value or sign-and-trade him over the summer.
Why Detroit Does It: McCollum and Hawkins would give the Pistons more shooting and ball-handling next to Cade Cunningham, key elements for this season’s playoff run without Jaden Ivey.
Detroit would certainly rather send out Tobias Harris than Fontecchio and Hardaway, but it’s tough to envision the Pelicans agreeing to absorb both Butler and Harris’ deals—even if they’re getting off of McCollum’s. In alternate constructions that send out Harris, the Pistons probably can’t expect to also land Hawkins and those second-rounders.
Why Miami Does It: The Heat are the easy winners here, essentially turning Butler into Ingram. Maybe it’s outdated to keep putting faith in #HeatCulture in light of how sideways things have gone with Butler, but doesn’t it seem like Miami is the place for Ingram to become his best self alongside Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo?
The Heat would have to contend with Ingram’s free agency, but the market’s coolness toward the former All-Star could mean a bargain rate on his next contract. More importantly, the Heat need to make the playoffs this season to convey their 2025 first-rounder to the Oklahoma City Thunder. If they fail in that effort, they’ll owe an unprotected 2026 first instead. Ingram, if healthy, will be more helpful to Miami’s short-term aims than Butler, who isn’t going to play for the franchise again.
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