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The flirtation between Jimmy Butler and the Phoenix Suns has gotten to the point that neither side is trying to hide it with the NBA trade deadline approaching on Feb. 6.
Bontemps and Windhorst added there is “motivation” from both Butler’s camp and the Miami Heat to get a deal done, but the offers being presented so far don’t fit what Miami is seeking.
The one that seems almost certain is Butler won’t be on the Heat on Feb. 7. He has been doing everything in his power to alienate the franchise, seemingly to force a trade.
Butler was suspended for two games by the Heat this week for a “continued pattern” of disregard for team rules that included missing their flight to Milwaukee for a game against the Bucks on Thursday.
This was the second time Butler has been suspended by the organization this month. He had just returned from a seven-game ban on Jan. 17
During Miami’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday, Butler was wearing a pair of shoes during warmups that featured Suns colors.
PHNX Suns @PHNX_Suns
Jimmy Butler’s shoes tonight, must be a coincidence! pic.twitter.com/W8Xd9dNZmc
The Suns are making calculated moves that seem designed to entice the Heat to make a deal for Butler. They sent their 2031 unprotected first-round draft pick to the Utah Jazz in exchange for three first-round picks on Tuesday.
Any trade for the Suns is extremely complicated because they have no wiggle room due to the apron rules. They can’t add any money, nor are they allowed to aggregate multiple contracts for salary-matching.
This has led to speculation that any deal involving Butler going to Phoenix could involve up to five teams. The simplest path for the Suns would involve Bradley Beal going to Miami, but there’s no indication the Heat want his contract. Beal also has a full no-trade clause that gives him veto power on any deal.
There are no simple solutions for a Suns team that’s in a desperate state with Kevin Durant in the twilight of his career and having already traded away all of their own first-round draft picks through 2031.
If the trade deadline passes with the Suns unable to land Butler, the short- and long-term outlook for this franchise looks pretty bleak. They are currently 10th in the Western Conference with a 22-21 record.
