If you believe that where there’s smoke, there’s fire, then you have to assume there is at least some level of mutual interest between the Phoenix Suns and Jimmy Butler.
A day after Butler’s agent Bernard Lee expressed his displeasure with ESPN’s Shams Charania and dismissed reports that Butler has any interest in the Suns, Charania doubled down on his report. Now, well-renowned, 27-year Arizona radio host John Gambadoro stated on Arizona Sports’ ‘Burns and Gambo’ show that he would go so far as to say “the Suns are [Butler’s] No. 1 choice.”
“Shams Charania is not incorrect, despite what the agent says, despite what the Miami Heat may say,” Gambadoro said. “I always take a little bit of time making sure I get stories correct, because I don’t go out there with incorrect information: Jimmy Butler is absolutely interested in coming to the Phoenix Suns, if he were to be traded from the Miami Heat, the Phoenix Suns are very, very high on his list.”
Gambadoro added that Phoenix would not include its 2031 first-round pick and the next 10-15 games are pivotal in determining which way the Suns lean in a potential pursuit of Butler.
Just now from @Gambo987 on Jimmy Butler: "I would go so far as to say (the Suns are) his #1 choice"
— Brendon Kleen (@BrendonKleen14) December 12, 2024
The Suns are currently 12-11 but 9-2 when Kevin Durant is in the lineup. Butler’s contract is worth $48.7 million and further complicating matters is the fact that Phoenix is a second apron team and Miami is a first apron team. That means players can’t be aggregated in a deal and the Heat must take back an amount either equal to or less than the salary being sent out. Since Phoenix can’t take on more in salary, a Butler trade involving these two teams is between a rock and a hard place.
If the Suns are intent on keeping Durant and Devin Booker, the only trade candidate is Bradley Beal, who own a no-trade clause in his contract he would have to waive.
What’s somewhat being forgotten in all of this is that the Heat have won three straight to improve to 12-10 and fifth in the East. Butler has enjoyed his best years in Miami and ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported Butler’s preference is still to sign an extension with the Heat.
