Video suggests that Sacramento Kings have a chance at landing Jimmy Butler

This summer, the Miami Heat and Jimmy Butler failed to reach an extension. Therefore, there is a chance (if Butler declines his 2025-26 player option) that the Heat hero becomes an unrestricted free agent in the 2025 offseason.

As many of you know, an unrestricted free agent has the choice to sign wherever they please. So, in theory, Butler could sign with our Sacramento Kings. But why would Butler want to go from South Beach to Sacramento? After all, the Kings have been a laughing stock for the last two decades.

DeMar DeRozan has made the Sacramento Kings a destination

We should rephrase that last sentence. The Kings were a laughing stock. Ever since head coach Mike Brown and Domantas Sabonis came to town, the Kings have been a respectable team – winning an average of 47 wins in each of the last two years. Together with De'Aaron Fox, Kevin Huerter, Keegan Murray, and the rest of the gang, the Kings have changed the league's perception of them.

Their reputation was solidified when well-respected All-Star DeMar DeRozan chose Sacramento over booming cities like Los Angeles and Miami.

That brings us to this video. On Monday, during the premiere of Starting 5 (which Sabonis will be a part of), there was a video taken of the new King embracing Butler. This has led to some Kings fans doing some speculating.

Listen, this is almost certainly two good friends doing some catching up. But what if it isn't?

By signing with the Kings, DeRozan has done two things. First, he has shown other veterans that it is okay to come to Sacramento. Second, he gives the Kings a revered figure who can act as a spokesperson when they are trying to lure other players (like Butler) to come to town.

A lot can happen in a year. Maybe the Heat and Butler decide it is better to stick together. Maybe Butler gets traded somewhere else and decides to stay there (kind of like what happened with Pascal Siakam).

Who knows. But one thing is for certain: if Butler does come to Sacramento, DeRozan will be a big reason why.