REFERENCE TRADE: https://fanspo.com/nba/s/general/trades/14EFAsIawt4q93/miami-gets-best-deal-done-for-butler

With this version of the trade, it shall explore a deeper request and a more sensable return for Brooklyn in dealing Cam Johnson. Jabari Smith Jr. should be viewed by the team as the best return possible on a trade, one who matches their timeline, getting the environment he needs to be maximized, still has tons of years under his belt, and can be more offensively versatile than Johnson ever was. Aside from Fox, who is off-the-market already, are there any other players that the Heat can better realistically receive out of a Jimmy Butler deal than Ingram and Johnson? With recent team chemistry issues with Cam Whitmore, he should be the most expendable Rocket as of the moment.

The Heat cut more than half of their current luxury tax with this trade and get a better long-term piece that they may elect to work with in Brandon Ingram. The Heat essentially does this to build for next season more than the present, but Cam Johnson going to a team where he can get the most on-ball reps can help the team easier integrate him especially when Ingram comes on board.

Alongside this, Brooklyn takes the opportunity to cancel out Houston's 2027 swap to get Miami their desired return, allowing the team to go through the rebuild on a more flexible pace.

It has been reported by various sources that Ingram would prefer a team with a winning, competitive environment, in which the Miami Heat do still embody. Ingram gets an opportunity to be 1A on some nights and 1B on others with Herro who shall not be a clunky fit unlike the Pelicans frontcourt.

This trade allows the Rockets to maintain (if not improve) their insane depth, while avoiding repeater tax fees for next season.

Thoughts?