NBA Buyout Rumors: Spurs, Thunder eyeing stealing Caron Butler from Miami Heat

Nov 22, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Caron Butler (3) brings the ball up court during the first quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

This is the time in the NBA season where players you typically wouldn’t see as coveted free agents are being pursued by some of the best teams in basketball. March 1st is the buyout deadline, meaning players must be waived and have cleared waivers to be eligible for postseason play, and one player garnering a ton of buyout attention is soon-to-be former Milwaukee Bucks forward Caron Butler.

According to reports, the Miami Heat are interested in Butler’s services but they’re not alone. David Aldridge from TNT and NBA.com states that the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder could be interested in Butler as well.

Bucks, Caron Butler near buyout, per source. Many around league think Heat likely destination. Spurs, Thunder also exploring.
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) February 26, 2014

One motivating factor both teams may have would be to sign Butler to keep him off the Heat bench, as it’s possible that either the Thunder or Spurs meet the Heat in the NBA Finals this year. Butler is also a serviceable veteran that can help either team, which is made even more dramatic by the fact that a Thunder-Spurs Western Conference showdown seems likely.

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