Mavericks should steer clear of Jimmy Butler trade after Heat's latest bold move

The Dallas Mavericks were just dealt their toughest card of the season as Luka Doncic strained his calf on Christmas Day, and he will likely be out for at least a month. This was the worst possible outcome for Mavs fans whose eyes were glued to their TVs for that marquee matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves, and it echoed bad memories from past Christmas games.

Dallas will have to move on quickly and find a way to win without Doncic considering that they have a matchup against the Phoenix Suns tonight on the road, and both Dallas and Phoenix have one key thing in common when it comes to the upcoming trade deadline.

They have both been linked to Jimmy Butler in trade rumors over the last month or so and after Miami's latest move, Dallas shouldn't even think about making a move for the six-time All-Star.

Jimmy Butler just rose even further out of Dallas' price range

Yesterday, Heat president Pat Riley attempted to make it clear that the team will not be trading Butler via an X post on the Heat's official account.

A team dropping this strong of a statement about trade rumors is abnormal in today's NBA, and this is only going to make things even more intense when it comes to Butler's situation in Miami if he truly does want to get moved. Riley's statement makes it seem like the Heat have no interest in moving Butler, and even if they do move him, his price just got even higher.

The Mavericks were already going to have to give up significant depth to make Butler a Maverick because of how large his contract is, and it's almost guaranteed that Miami would command significant draft capital as well. Dallas doesn't need another superstar right now, and compromising their future for a potential three-month rental of Butler is not ideal. It has been reported that he plans to become a free agent this summer and opt out of his contract, and it would be devastating for the Mavs to lose him for nothing after being forced to give up an arm and a leg to land him.

It also must be remembered that Riley saying this could mean nothing in the end, and it could all be a ploy to jack up Butler's asking price, and the Mavs shouldn't fall for any of it. Their roster is looking like one of the most complete Mavericks teams we have ever seen, and while Butler is still elite at age 35, the move doesn't make sense to begin with.

Mavericks fans can rest assured that Dallas hasn't shown any interest in Butler as of two weeks ago, and after this move by Miami in which they could be trying to mislead potential Butler suitors, the Mavs shouldn't even entertain the idea of trading for him. They just have to find a way to stay deep in the playoff race while Doncic is out, and while they are looking to upgrade their frontcourt via trade, it doesn't seem like a move for Butler is in the works.