With the always-evolving saga between the Miami Heat and Jimmy Butler, the Phoenix Suns are said to be interested in a trade but will have to figure out a different package if they want to acquire the six-time NBA All-Star.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!After the Heat suspended Butler for seven games due to conduct detrimental to the team following his recent comments that he would like to play elsewhere, Miami will listen to trade offers.
“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
The Suns have been heavily linked in rumors over the past several weeks, and Bradley Beal is the player that is the popular choice in a potential deal.
Per ESPN insider Bobby Marks, however, he stated in an article that Miami is not interested in picking up Beal’s contract in return for Butler.
“Sources told ESPN, that the Heat have no desire to take back the $110 million owed to Beal and that Phoenix would need to find a third team,” Marks said.
Beal has two more years on his contract above $50 million each, has a no-trade clause and has a $57.1 million player option in 2026-27.
For Butler, he will be a free agent after this season and will most likely be a rental for whichever team lands him. He will be able to choose the next team he plays for following this year or sign a contract extension before the offseason.
If the Suns still want to strike an agreement with the Heat, they will either have to add more pieces or get another team involved to make everything work. Beal’s health has been the story of his tenure in Phoenix, missing 29 games last year and 10 already this year.
Admitting a major mistake, moving on from Beal would prove that trading first-round picks and Chris Paul two offseasons ago was a decision they would want to go back and redo. With him in and out of the lineup, it will be difficult to find a potential suitor to take on his massive contract.
Other teams rumored to be eying Butler include the Houston Rockets, Golden State Warriors and Dallas Mavericks.
Stay up-to-date with Burn City Sports for the latest information on Butler and Suns news.
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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
