With the NBA trade deadline on Feb. 6 rapidly approaching, some teams have already made moves, while others—such as the Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors—are still working on finalizing a deal. Now, both teams may be in direct competition to pull off a major trade for a five-time All-NBA player.
Suns and Warriors emerge as frontrunners in Jimmy Butler trade
It’s no secret that the Miami Heat are looking to trade Jimmy Butler. The six-time All-Star has already faced three suspensions this season and has played in just 25 of the team’s 46 games. Adding to the situation, he holds a $52.4 million player option for the 2025-26 season, which he is widely expected to decline in favor of free agency once the season ends.
If the Heat are truly ready to move on from Butler—as all signs indicate—they may benefit more from trading him now rather than waiting until the offseason. However, they are being patient, hoping for a stronger offer before Thursday’s deadline.
According to Miami Herald reporter Anthony Chiang, the Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns remain the top teams to monitor for a potential Butler trade.
Chiang stated, “The Phoenix Suns and the Golden State Warriors are still considered the two most likely trade destinations for Butler at this point, according to league sources.”
Both teams have been linked to Butler for some time, so their interest is nothing new. However, with the trade deadline quickly approaching, their efforts to finalize a deal could intensify in the coming days.
