PHOENIX –The Phoenix Suns are in hot pursuit of six-time All-Star Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat. Butler has made his desires to come to the valley with his colorful shoes and hair while not committing to extensions talk with other teams. However, Miami’s disgruntled view of Butler’s handling of the situation and guard Bradley Beal’s desire not to waive his no-trade clause and stay in Phoenix has made a possible trade difficult.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Bradley Beal reportedly prefers to stay in Phoenix and not uproot his family, per @JakeLFischer
“The unrelenting word continues to be that Beal has no desire to bless a trade pretty much anywhere and prefers to remain in Phoenix, where his family has been settling after finally… pic.twitter.com/LodNstS5iI
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) February 3, 2025
The NBA trade deadline is a few days away, and all those moving parts have forced the Suns to create a backup plan that could see their 15-time All-Star leave Phoenix. According to senior NBA reporter Jake Fischer, if the franchise fails to secure Butler from Miami, they could pivot to trading Durant.
BREAKING: The Suns are fielding trade calls for Kevin Durant, per @JakeLFischer pic.twitter.com/EDIhTtUpxT
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) February 3, 2025
The Golden State Warriors are one of the frontrunners if Durant becomes available. The vision of repairing the Curry-Durant dynasty one more time is the dream of Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. is clear. The Suns trading Durant to a division rival is not ideal, but with impending cap punishments in a few years and the team stranded at 8th in the Western Conference, they might have no choice.
Jan 31, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Buddy Hield (7) dribbles the ball next to Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) in the second quarter at the Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
Securing Butler could propel the franchise back into contention and make swallowing potential CBA repercussions more bearable to endure. If not, Durant’s time in the valley might be over.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
