As the Jimmy Butler-Miami Heat-Bradley Beal-Phoenix Suns plot thickens, multiple reports suggest that the Milwaukee Bucks could be the third team to step in and facilitate a possible blockbuster trade.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!After making a deal with the Utah Jazz that tripled its draft assets, Phoenix made itself more flexible in its quest for the disgruntled Miami star. Turning one tradeable first-round pick into six throughout 2030 (as long as Phoenix remains in line with The Stepien Rule) increases the chances that a Beal-Butler trade happens, according to multiple reports from The Athletic.
The report, with contributions from league insiders like Sam Amick, David Aldridge, Tony Jones, Jon Krawczynski, Sam Vecenie and Rebecca Tauber, also notes that league executives view the Bucks as a team likely to be involved in the transaction:
“In the wake of the Suns’ deal with the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night, in which Phoenix tripled its lot of available first-round picks, a source close to the Miami Heat star said there is rising optimism that he’s closer to reaching his desired destination — Phoenix — as a result… As several rival executives indicated, Milwaukee is a team worth monitoring as the Suns continue to look for third-team partners in a Butler deal.”
The deal would be complicated, but the main idea of the trade would be Phoenix acquiring Butler, Beal heading to Milwaukee and Khris Middleton sent to Miami. All of the Suns’ recently acquired first-round picks (2025 least favorable Timberwolves/Cavaliers, 2027 least favorable Jazz/Timberwolves/Cavaliers and 2029 least favorable Jazz/Timberwolves/Cavaliers) would be in play.
The Bucks would likely have to move Pat Connaughton to clear cap space for Beal. This means that a fourth team is likely required. Here’s what a possible four-teamer could look like, according to CBS Sports:
- Phoenix receives:Â Jimmy Butler
- Miami receives:Â Khris Middleton, Bobby Portis Jr., Ryan Dunn, 2027 first-round pick.
- Milwaukee receives:Â Bradley Beal, 2025 first-round pick.
- Detroit Pistons receive:Â Pat Connaughton, MarJon Beauchamp, 2029 first-round pick.
Massive deal, yes, but not impossible considering that Suns owner Mat Ishbia has shown a willingness to go all-in no matter the cost, as referenced by his decision to essentially swap Phoenix’s highly-coveted 2031 first to bolster assets, mortgage the future, lose all control over draft picks until 2032, and go all in on Butler.
As Phoenix (21-21) continues to float in a pool of mediocrity at the midway point of the season, one thing is for certain — the roster as currently constructed is not good enough to contend in the modern NBA, much less a Western Conference where the .500 Suns could be one bad loss away from the 11th-seed and out of playoff contention entirely.
The Devin Booker-Kevin Durant-Beal Big Three has run its course, and a move is necessary now more than ever.
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Reporter Connor Moreno covers the Phoenix Suns for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @cmorenosports, and on Bluesky, @cloading.bsky.social
