The Phoenix Suns are rumored to have interest in trading for Jimmy Butler by Shams Charania. Butler’s agent Bernie Lee denied those reports on social media, but when there is smoke. Butler is in the final year of his contract, and the Suns have struggled mightily without Kevin Durant in the lineup. Things in the NBA happen quickly and interest for both sides makes sense.
Things from there are complicated. Butler wants another max deal. The Suns have one of the largest payrolls in the NBA, and the new restrictions on teams over the second tax apron make trading difficult. Phoenix is not flush with draft capital, so finding a deal that suits both sides is difficult.
Suns fans are likely dreaming of trading Jusuf Nurkic and a couple of role players for Jimmy Buckets, but that is not possible. Phoenix cannot aggregate salaries and neither team can take back more money in a trade. It severely limits what the Suns can do, and here is a look at the best potential offer coming out of the Valley.
The Suns' best possible offer for Jimmy Butler
Phoenix is not trading Kevin Durant or Devin Booker. Gerald Bourguet went on record that the Suns have no interest in breaking up their Big 3, but it would cost them one of those players to make a Butler trade. Bradley Beal is the player most likely to be moved.
Beal retained his no-trade clause, so the Suns would need him to agree to be sent to Miami. The Heat would likely be retooling after trading Butler, which would limit Beal’s interest. For this exercise, let us assume the three-time All-Star is willing to go to South Beach in the trade.
The Suns cannot aggregate salaries, and the math does not work. It is still possible by adding a minimum contract going from Miami to Phoenix. The Suns would get Butler and a minimum-salary player for Beal and draft capital. Here is the best possible offer from Phoenix.
This is likely not enough to win the bidding for Butler, but the Mavericks made a similar trade for Kyrie Irving in 2023. The Heat would have to value Beal and the two-plus years remaining on his contract. It is a massive salary, so that is unlikely.
Fans should not expect this trade to happen. The latest rumor clearly did not come from Butler’s side, so it is likely the Heat are trying to create a market for Jimmy Buckets. He has a player option for the 2025-26 season but wants to become a free agent. Miami does not want to lose him with zero in return. Do not be surprised to see the Heat make a deal before Feb. 6.
Will the Phoenix Suns land Jimmy Butler? It is extremely unlikely, but crazier things have happened in the NBA. This is the best possible offer, and it may just get done. Stay tuned to find out.