After several weeks of internal negotiations, the Miami Heat finalized a significant five-team trade, resulting in six-time All-Star forward Jimmy Butler being traded to the Golden State Warriors. In exchange, Miami received Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson, and a protected first-round pick. Additionally, the Heat acquired guard Davion Mitchell from Toronto as part of the complex transaction.
Golden State additionally traded Dennis Schröder and Lindy Waters III to Detroit, while P.J. Tucker was briefly on the Heat before being shipped to the Raptors for Mitchell.
The Miami Heat had reached an agreement with Toronto for Anderson; however, that part of the overall deal has since fallen through, according to Shams Charania of ESPN. Miami will now evaluate whether to retain Anderson or explore other trade options.
Additionally, Butler has opted out of his 2025-26 player option to sign a two-year, $121 million extension that will keep him with the Warriors through the 2026-27 season, according to multiple reports.
Golden State becomes Butler’s fifth team, following previous tenures in Chicago, Minnesota, Philadelphia, and Miami. His arrivals were well-received in each of these cities, though his departures were somewhat contentious in all of them.
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The Heat announced that Wiggins will wear jersey number 22, the recently vacated number previously worn by Butler.
Wiggins, a 2022 NBA Champion and NBA All-Star, has participated in 43 games (all starts) with the Warriors this season, averaging 17.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 30.1 minutes per game. He maintains shooting percentages of 44.4% from the field, 37.9% from three-point range, and 77.7% from the free-throw line. Wiggins has recorded 36 games with double-digit scoring, including 17 games with 20 or more points and two games with 30 or more points. He achieved three double-doubles, including a career-high 13 rebounds and 10 points at Utah on October 25. Wiggins led the team in scoring 12 times, in rebounds five times, and in assists once this season.
Notably, he recorded two four-point plays during the second quarter against the Rockets on December 5—marking the first time in his career he accomplished this in a single game and the first time a Warrior achieved this since Kevin Durant on February 14, 2018. Wiggins, the top overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft and NBA Rookie of the Year, has averaged double figures in all 11 of his NBA seasons, with over 20 points in three of those seasons.
Anderson, an 11-year veteran of the NBA, appeared in 36 games (including three starts) with the Warriors this season, averaging 5.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 15.0 minutes per game, while converting 45 percent of his field goals. He scored in double figures five times, with a season-high of 13 points against Toronto on January 13. He shot at least 50 percent from the field in 19 games, including a stretch of eight consecutive games from November 22 to December 6. Anderson recorded six games with multiple blocks and six with multiple steals, including a season-high five steals against New Orleans on October 29. Additionally, he has participated in the postseason seven times, with two appearances in the Western Conference Finals.
Mitchell, a first-round pick (ninth overall) in the 2021 NBA Draft, played in 44 games (including 22 starts) with Toronto this season. He averaged 6.3 points, 4.6 assists, 1.9 rebounds, and 24.6 minutes per game, with a shooting percentage of 43.4%. He scored in double figures 11 times, including in three consecutive games from October 28 through November 1. His season-high of 20 points was recorded on November 6 against Sacramento, and he posted an 11-point, 11-assist double-double on October 30 at Charlotte.
Defensively, Mitchell ranks seventh among 49 players who have defended the ball-handler in at least 500 pick-and-roll situations, allowing only 0.90 points per possession. Additionally, he ranks tenth among 218 players who have defended at least 60 isolation plays, permitting just 0.72 points per possession.
Mitchell will wear jersey number 45.