Sources told ESPN.com that Wisconsin native Butler, who is earning $8 million this season on an expiring contract with his home-state Bucks, is on course to be released by Milwaukee on Wednesday and thus clear waivers Friday, well in advance of the Saturday midnight deadline by which time he must be set free to be eligible to play in the playoffs with another team.
The two-time defending champion
Miami Heat, sources said, will be at the front of the line to sign Butler, who spent his first two seasons in the league with the Heat and is expected to verbally commit to a team before clearing waivers.
There was a growing sense in NBA front-office circles Tuesday night that Butler is likely to land with Miami, which would potentially leave the
San Antonio Spurs and
Los Angeles Clippers to battle over former Indiana swingman
Danny Granger if
Granger goes through with a buyout in Philadelphia.