The Chicago Bulls are reportedly engaged as a potential third team to facilitate a Jimmy Butler trade to the Phoenix Suns, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst.
The Bulls have discussed acquiring guard Bradley Beal, who the Suns may need to move to make any deal for Butler feasible.
Butler, who recently requested a trade from the Miami Heat, has been suspended indefinitely. With the trade deadline nearing, Miami may require a third team to avoid taking on Beal’s contract in a deal involving Phoenix.
“What’s more interesting with the Bulls right now is they are absolutely involved in conversations with the Suns involving Jimmy – possible Jimmy Butler situations,” Windhorst said. “Not that Jimmy Butler would end in Chicago. But they would get involved in the trade.”
Windhorst elaborated further, saying, “If I’m talking about a three-team trade and Jimmy Butler is on one end, and it’s not going to Chicago, we’re talking about Bradley Beal.”
Beal’s no-trade clause complicates the situation, as he must approve any destination Phoenix chooses. This limits the Suns’ options, as Beal cannot simply be sent to a non-contending team with cap space midway through the 2024-25 season.
“The bottom line is that the Bulls and the Suns have talked on the concept of Bradley Beal ending up in Chicago has been discussed,” Windhorst noted. “I’m not saying it’s gonna happen. I’m not saying it’s close.”
Currently, the Bulls hold the No. 10 seed in the Eastern Conference but have lost eight of their last 10 games. Meanwhile, Miami sits as the No. 8 seed at 22-22, just 0.5 games behind the No. 6 spot to avoid the play-in tournament.
Butler is averaging 17.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.8 assists this season, shooting 54.0 percent from the field and 36.1 percent from three in 25 games. While this hasn’t been his best season, a change of scenery could potentially rejuvenate the six-time All-Star.
If Beal approves a move to Chicago, it may increase the likelihood of Miami accepting a deal that sends Butler to Phoenix. However, details remain unclear about what the Bulls would offer or what the Heat would receive in return if such a trade were to materialize.
