Following a promising start to the season with a 24-16 record, the Miami Heat have come crashing down to Earth, losing seven consecutive games and falling to just one game above .500. While most analysts remain optimistic about Miami's long-term prospects, former NBA champion and current ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins has a hot take that's sure to spark debate: the Heat should trade Jimmy Butler.

Perkins dropped this bombshell during an appearance on "The Lowe Post" podcast with ESPN's Zach Lowe on Tuesday. He identified the age gap between Butler and his teammates as the primary reason for the proposed move, suggesting it's time for Miami to transition towards a rebuild.

"The Heat have lost seven in a row. I think it's time for the Miami Heat and Jimmy Butler to part ways," Perkins declared. "I think the Heat need to do right by Jimmy and send him to a legit title contender... When I look at this roster, Kevin Love, [35], Jimmy Butler, 34 years of age... everyone else on the Heat's roster is 30 and under... It's time for the Heat to start the rebuild of their culture with the young guys."

Perkins also expressed concerns about Butler's ability to sustain his elite level of play for much longer, wanting him to finish his career with a legitimate title contender.

"I just don't know how much time Jimmy has left of [being] Playoff Jimmy," Perkins said. "He's 34, a lot of miles, a lot of minutes, a lot of wear and tear on his body, and I just don't see the Miami Heat this season being a legit title contender."

However, Perkins' proposal comes with some significant counterpoints. Notably, it arrives just months after the Heat's surprising 2023 NBA Finals run, where they fell just three wins short of the championship. This marked their second Finals appearance in the last four seasons, and they've reached three Eastern Conference Finals during that same period.

Lowe, seemingly skeptical of Perkins' take, could only chuckle in response to his monologue, highlighting the stark contrast between this suggestion and the Heat's recent success.

The debate over Butler's future in Miami is sure to heat up in the coming weeks, particularly if the team's losing streak continues. While Perkins' proposal may seem surprising, it's important to remember that the NBA landscape can shift quickly, and even the most established contenders can face challenges. Only time will tell whether the Heat will stick with their veteran core or consider a rebuild centered on their younger players.