It is no secret that the Phoenix Suns are gearing up to make a move for Jimmy Butler. The deal would likely center around Bradley Beal, and the Suns would have to dig deep in their draft chest to sweeten the deal.
The recent report is that they have agreed to send their 2031 1st round pick unprotected to the Utah Jazz in exchange for three conditional first round picks in 2025, 2027, and 2029. The Jazz have 13 first round picks in the next seven years. These were acquired when they traded away Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert.
Thus, they would only surrender the lowest pick among the three teams: Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and their own picks. In 2025, it's likely they keep their own since the Cavs are contenders and the Timberwolves have a fighting chance.
It is rare for teams to give out an unprotected draft pick, but the Phoenix Suns feel that they need to do this. The intention is clear–this is all for Jimmy Butler. The Miami Heat likely want to acquire multiple first round picks, and the Suns don't have that prior to the trade.
Four-Team Blockbuster on the Way?
There are reports of exploratory talks for a possible four-team blockbuster trade which will have the Phoenix Suns acquiring Jimmy Butler, the Milwaukee Bucks taking Bradley Beal, and Khris Middleton going to Miami. A fourth team is needed to absorb the players added to match salaries, likely a team with cap space like the Brooklyn Nets, with picks being sent as an incentive.
Since these are just fresh on the negotiation table, the trade could be amended or even canceled. As of this writing, this is what teams are engaged in.
The prime motivation here is the Phoenix Suns. Since they formed a superteam, they are obliged to be contenders. Devin Booker has actually thrived, and Kevin Durant is still at an All-NBA level. Beal is the odd-one out, and the Suns want to capitalize on the Heat's messy situation to get an upgrade.
Unfortunately, dealing with the Godfather Pat Riley is never easy. While they keep insisting that they are in no hurry to trade Butler, this is all bravado and leverage. It would be a big loss to lose Butler to free agency since they also do not have first round picks in 2025 and 2027.
Jimmy Butler is a proven playoff performer, even though he may be on his last legs. Is the risk worth it for the Suns?
Should the Heat Pursue The Trade?
Trading for a superstar is risky, especially with the NBA salary cap. The Suns are already the biggest spenders in the salary cap. They are well over the 2nd apron, and it can limit the number of ways they can improve the team. Trading for Butler will give them a Big Three and hardly any cap space left to add depth to their team. If any of their Big Three get injured, they would be severely handicapped.
Pundits note that Butler has openly stated that he would not sign an extension and explore free agency this summer. That means the Phoenix Suns may end up just renting Butler for this season. However, the added motivation for the Suns is that they would be free from the contract of Bradley Beal who is injury prone.
The only way for the Suns to make sure they win this trade is for them to win the title. If they acquire Butler, who has towed the Miami Heat on his back for their two finals appearances (in 2020 and 2023). Durant and Booker are playing well, and adding Butler to the mix could be the final ingredient in their championship recipe.
As proven by the Toronto Raptors, winning the title justifies everything. No one thinks that trading for Kawhi Leonard in the 2018-19 season was a mistake because they won the franchise's first ever championship. It didn't matter anymore that Leonard eventually left the team through free agency.