ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins has never shied away from making bold claims. That was proven yet again when he suggested that the Miami Heat should consider trading their team leader, Jimmy Butler.

The Heat have lost their last seven games this season. Due to their struggles, Perkins wants Miami to make some serious changes.

“I believe the Miami Heat need to do right by Jimmy and trade him to a team that actually could compete for a title this season.”

Kendrick Perkins said on ESPN
Butler has fully embodied what it has meant to be a part of that historic Heat culture in Miami. Just this last season, the Heat made the NBA Finals as an eighth seed out of the Eastern Conference. While the result didn’t end the way they had hoped, there is no denying that the Heat have established themselves as consistent contenders in the NBA.
Putting it bluntly, there is no chance in the world that the Heat even consider trading Butler at the deadline. They have been sliding in the regular season this year, but they, along with everyone else in the association, know just how dangerous that they will be come playoff time.

The offense of the Heat has been a big question mark, though. However, trading for Terry Rozier should help improve in that department. It may just take a while for him to find his role on the team.

The Heat currently sit seventh in the Eastern Conference and hold a 24-23 record. While the team has not gotten the results that they want, they are always prepared to compete by the time the playoffs roll around. Most importantly though, Butler will be on the team to lead them.