Nearly one-third through the season, the Phoenix Suns are still trying to hit their stride but find themselves 10th in the Western Conference. That isn't where they likely saw themselves entering the season after making several solid additions to their roster.
Be that as it may, they find themselves limited in the moves that they can make during the season. Especially with them being in the second apron and having limited trade assets to move to try and better their roster.
Nevertheless, they have been linked to Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler, and an interesting report has them discussing a potential trade involving Bradley Beal. An exchange between the Heat and Suns is made more complicated by the fact that the Suns can't aggregate salaries and that they only have four picks in total to trade, including a 2031 pick.
However, it's unclear if that will be enough for the Heat, who are sure to get competitive offers from teams such as the Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, or even the San Antonio Spurs.
Each team could use what Butler brings to the table and can outbid the Suns. Even so, Butler prefers either the Suns or the Warriors as landing spots. Given that he will be an unrestricted free agent after this season, he could quickly stop a trade to a destination that is not on his list. He could do that by having his agent say that he wouldn't re-sign with any team not on his list this summer.
How realistic is a Bradley Beal-for-Jimmy Butler trade involving the Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat?
A possible trade between the Heat and Suns doesn't seem like the right deal for the Heat to make involving their best player. While Butler appears to be interested in playing in Phoenix, the only deal that would make that happen is for the Heat to take back Beal and his contract.
Beal has three years remaining on his contract, which will pay him $130 million. This is despite him being on the wrong side of 30, having a sizeable injury history, and steadily declining as a player. He would also need to waive his no-trade clause, and it's questionable whether he would agree to do so to facilitate a trade.
Even if he were to do so, it would potentially hamstring Miami in being able to retool around Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro. Even if the Suns can offer up an enticing future first, which may end up being a lottery pick.
However, unless a third team is involved that can send picks Miami's way, they shouldn't consider this deal. Nevertheless, that doesn't mean a deal between the Suns and Heat involving Butler won't happen.