Miami Heat fans might welcome the idea of trading guard Terry Rozier this offseason, as his performance has fallen short of expectations.

In 57 appearances, Rozier is averaging 11.5 points and 2.7 assists on 40.1 percent shooting, while his defense has been underwhelming.

As a result, the Heat could explore a trade with the Washington Wizards to acquire former Boston Celtics guard and Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart.

This potential move was highlighted by Bleacher Report, which listed Smart as a possible trade target for the Heat.

“Assuming the team continues to build around Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo, the Heat needs shooting and help at point guard. [Davion] Mitchell may be retained, but he may be best suited as a reserve,” B/R’s Eric Pincus wrote. “Duncan Robinson is expected to opt into his final year, roughly half-guaranteed. The Heat could go younger or look to cash out prospects like Jaquez and Nikola Jović to win with Herro and Adebayo.”

While the Wizards are unlikely to accept a straight swap of Smart for Rozier, Miami could sweeten the deal by including draft capital and possibly a young player.

Rozier’s contract expires after the 2026 season, meaning he would only remain in Washington for a year unless the team opts for a cheaper extension.

Pairing Smart with Herro in the backcourt would create a more balanced combination of offense and defense, addressing some of the Heat’s current weaknesses.

This proposed trade could be a strategic move for Miami as they look to strengthen their roster and maximize their potential around Herro and Adebayo.

Since joining the Golden State Warriors on February 8, 2025, Jimmy Butler III has wasted no time making his presence felt.

In just over a month, the Warriors have gone 13-2, the second-best record in the NBA during that span, including a six-game winning streak leading into their matchup against the New York Knicks on Saturday.

Before Butler’s arrival, Golden State struggled when its stars weren’t on the floor. The Warriors were outscored by 90 points without Stephen Curry and by 98 when Draymond Green was off the court. But since Butler’s debut, those numbers have flipped—the team is now +33 without Curry and +39 without Green showcasing his immediate impact on both ends of the floor.

This isn’t the first time Butler has provided an instant boost. His adaptability and leadership have made him a game-changer from day one at every stop in his career. Let’s take a look at how he made his mark in his first month with each of his previous teams.

Chicago Bulls (2011-12 Season)

Drafted 30th overall in 2011, Butler entered the league in a lockout-shortened season and saw limited playing time off the bench. He averaged 2.7 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 0.3 assists in his first month.

Despite Butler’s modest stats, the Derrick Rose-led Bulls started strong, going 11-4 in Butler’s first 15 games. Chicago finished the season 50-16, earning the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference for the second straight year.

Minnesota Timberwolves (2017-18 Season)

In June 2017, Butler was traded to Minnesota, reuniting with former Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau and joining young stars Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns.

Butler made his Timberwolves debut on October 18, 2017, and quickly became the team’s leader, averaging 16.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.3 assists in his first month. Minnesota went 10-5 during that stretch, setting the tone for their best season in over a decade.

With Butler leading the way, the Timberwolves finished 47-35, snapping their 13-year playoff drought, which was the longest in the NBA at the time.

Philadelphia 76ers (2018-19 Season)

On November 12, 2018, Butler was traded to Philadelphia and made his debut two days later.

In his first month with the 76ers, he averaged 18.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.8 assists, helping Philadelphia to an 11-4 record in that span.

One of Butler’s standout performances came on November 25 against the Brooklyn Nets, when he erupted for 34 points and 12 rebounds, sealing a 127-125 victory with a clutch game-winning three-pointer with just 2.3 seconds left.

The Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons-led 76ers went on to finish 51-31, securing the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference.

Miami Heat (2019-20 Season)

Butler signed with Miami on July 6, 2019, and made an immediate impact. In his first 15 games, he averaged 18.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 6.3 assists, helping the Heat start 12-3.

His leadership and gritty play helped shape the Heat’s identity, ultimately leading them to the NBA Finals in the 2020 Bubble Season, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

A History of Quick Impact

Wherever Butler has gone, his toughness, leadership, and two-way play have turned teams around almost instantly. Now, with the Warriors surging, he’s proving once again that his presence alone can change a team’s fortunes.

As Golden State continues its playoff push, Butler’s first-month magic may be just the beginning of another deep postseason run.

The Washington Wizards are heading into one of their most crucial offseasons in recent memory as they continue their rebuild from the ground up.

However, their recent winning streak could jeopardize their long-term future.

Lack of a True Franchise Cornerstone

At the heart of the Wizards’ struggles is the absence of a true franchise player to build around.

Last year, they selected Alex Sarr with the No. 2 overall pick, hoping he would become a key piece for the future.

Unfortunately, Sarr has yet to meet expectations, struggling in Summer League and failing to capitalize on his strengths during his rookie season.

While it’s too early to completely write him off, there are growing concerns that Washington may have drafted a role player rather than a star.

Despite this, the basketball gods have seemingly given Washington another chance. They currently hold the worst record in the NBA, putting them in prime position to land the No. 1 pick in the upcoming draft.

However, if they aren’t careful, they could lose their grip on the top selection.

Winning at the Wrong Time

While winning is always enjoyable, the Wizards are picking the worst possible time to go on a hot streak.

They’ve gone 5-5 in their last 10 games, including wins against the Utah Jazz and Detroit Pistons two teams also in contention for the top pick.

With highly-touted prospects like Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey available, and the possibility of Cooper Flagg declaring, securing the No. 1 pick should be Washington’s priority.

However, their recent victories have tightened the race for the league’s worst record.

The Utah Jazz, now just half a game behind Washington, could leapfrog them in the standings.

If Utah were to land the top pick, the prospect of playing for Danny Ainge a Boston Celtics legend and respected executive might entice Flagg to declare, potentially costing Washington a generational talent.

A Chance to Correct Course

As the regular season winds down, the Wizards must decide whether they are truly committed to the rebuild.

Winning meaningless games now could derail their entire offseason strategy before it even begins.

They have a chance to get back on track with an upcoming game against the Denver Nuggets a team that will likely expose their flaws. If Washington is serious about its future, they must prioritize draft positioning over short-term success.