Following the news that Miami Heat superstar Jimmy Butler is allegedly seeking a trade from the Miami Heat, the rumors of the Phoenix Suns facilitating a deal are back alive.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!While Butler’s agent, Bernard Lee of Thread Sports Management, denied the original news about his player wanting out of Miami back on Dec. 11, Butler admitted in a press conference that he is looking to play elsewhere.
“What do I want to see happen? I want to see me get my joy back playing basketball and wherever that may be, we’ll find out very soon,” Butler said after the Heat lost 128-115 to the Indiana Pacers on Thursday. “I want to get my joy back. I am happy here off the court but I want to be back to somewhat dominant, I wanna hoop and I want to help this team win. I am not doing that.”
"Probably not."
—Jimmy Butler when asked if he could get his joy back in Miami. pic.twitter.com/5gahEJxWM7
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 3, 2025
In the past three games, Butler is playing less than 27 minutes a night and hasn’t scored above nine points in each. The six-time NBA All-star is averaging 17.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 22 games so far this year.
When giving his thoughts on Butler’s situation and who could be a potential suitor, ESPNÂ analyst Stephen A. Smith went on the show “First Take” and mentioned how the Suns should do whatever is necessary to land the 35-year-old.
“You all are soft, the team is considered soft. Give up Bradley Beal, give up Bradley Beal!” Smith said. “Now he has a no-trade clause and he has to waive it but I am just saying, give up Bradley Beal. Listen, Bradley Beal in South Beach with his marksmanship, him, [Tyler] Herro and the crew, you can do some things in the Eastern Conference. You never know. He should be very much open to a deal like that because he wouldn’t be a third option, he would be a top-two option if he was there in Miami if he was healthy.
“I am Jimmy Butler, who is considered one of the selfless stars, doesn’t mind sharing the basketball, doesn’t mind not being the focal point offensively. You in Phoenix with Devin Booker and KD [Kevin Durant]… If you are the Phoenix Suns, if you are the Phoenix Suns, you got to do everything you can to get your hands on Jimmy Butler. You talk about changing the culture of that locker room, that is an instantaneous impact. You do it, you do it!”
"If you're the Phoenix Suns, you've got to do everything you can to get your hands on Jimmy Butler."@stephenasmith believes the Suns should send Bradley Beal to Miami for Jimmy Butler ???? pic.twitter.com/57TNQIXmI0
— First Take (@FirstTake) January 3, 2025
As of right now, there has been no mention of the Suns, Heat, or Beal himself officially looking to make a trade happen. Beal has a no-trade clause in his contract and would have to waive it in order to be moved.
Shams Charania of ESPN originally listed the Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors as other teams Butler is reportedly open to be traded to before adding the Suns to the mix.
The Phoenix Suns are another team that Jimmy Butler’s agent, Bernie Lee, has indicated in league circles that the six-time All-Star is open to as a destination while Miami listens to trade offers, sources tell ESPN, joining Dallas, Houston and Golden State. pic.twitter.com/QCXA2uEMXt
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 11, 2024
With the NBA Trade Deadline approaching on Feb. 6, Butler’s name is going to be floated around in rumors until a solution to what’s going on in Miami is figured out.
If the Suns were to be interested and trade Beal, that would show the front office made a mistake in mortgaging its future in the blockbuster trade two offseasons ago. Phoenix traded a package consisting of Chris Paul, Landry Shamet and four first-round pick swaps to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Beal, Jordin Goodwin and Isaiah Todd in 2023.
Since this developing story is evolving practically every week, it will be interesting to see which team will acquire him and the haul that the Heat will receive.
Stay tuned to Burn City Sports for the latest news surrounding Butler.
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Reporter Alec Cipollini covers the Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks, ASU Athletics and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @AlecCipollini
