Insider Gives New Update on Jimmy Butler Trade Rumors

Where do the Heat currently stand on their willingness to part with Jimmy Butler?

Dec 16, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) dribbles as Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley (5) defends in the first half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

As trade rumors continue to swirl around the Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler, ESPN front office insider Bobby Marks provided a new update on where Miami currently stands with the 14-year NBA veteran:

"As for Butler's future, there is a growing consensus among the teams I talked to that unless the six-time All-Star becomes a distraction, or the Heat receive a trade offer they cannot turn down, Butler will be on the Heat's roster once the deadline passes.

"As ESPN's Shams Charania reported Dec. 10, Butler likely will decline his $52 million player option for next season, making him a free agent unless an extension is reached by June 30. The Heat are eligible to sign Butler to a two-year, $112.6 million extension. (His $52.4 million player option would be replaced by a $54.1 million salary in Year 1 of the extension.)

"'Miami has to do what is best for them, not what is in the best interest for Butler,' a Western Conference executive told ESPN in Orlando."

Unless a three-team trade is orchestrated, the Suns' best offer for a deal with the Heat due to their second-tax apron limitations would be Bradley Beal and their 2031 first-round pick in exchange for Butler and a veteran-minimum contract (likely Josh Richardson).

The complicated part of the trade for Phoenix is Beal's no-trade clause.

"Until one of them come say something to me or talks to me, it's just out there. I'm a Phoenix Sun and I'm here and I'm in the uniform. I don't pay attention to that. They did that with me for 10 years," Beal said of the trade rumors on Friday.

Despite Arizona Sports insider John Gambadoro saying the timeline for a potential trade would be closer to mid-January, our own Kevin Hicks suggested that now feels like the time for the Suns to make the move for Butler due to their current 6-12 stretch and consistent struggles.