Miami Heat Reportedly Linked to Three-Team Trade of Jimmy Butler to Phoenix Suns
With the trade deadline fast approaching, the Miami Heat are reportedly exploring several trade options involving Jimmy Butler. One such scenario involves sending Butler to the Phoenix Suns, but not in exchange for Kevin Durant. NBA insider Jake Fischer shared that Durant could be on his way to a reunion with the Golden State Warriors. Fischer wrote, “One reason for the significant uptick in Durant chatter, sources said, is that trading him appears to be the only way for Phoenix to acquire Miami’s Jimmy Butler before Thursday’s deadline.” He further added, “Why would the Suns want Butler if they no longer have Durant on the roster? No one asked by The Stein Line has been able to furnish a good answer to that question, but rumbles persist that a scenario that transports Butler from South Beach to the desert — with Durant moving back to the Bay Area — is indeed in play.”
While many Heat fans are hoping for Durant in exchange for Butler, there’s also a possibility that the Heat could end up with former No. 1 pick Andrew Wiggins in a three-team trade involving the Suns and Warriors. The Heat have until Thursday to finalize the Butler situation. Despite leading the team to two NBA Finals since 2019, Butler requested a trade in late December and has been suspended three times for conduct detrimental to the team.
