The Miami Heat are currently enjoying a successful stretch despite being the subject of a swirling trade rumor mill, winning their last three contests to improve to a 12-10 record.
The recent saga surrounding their All-NBA forward and former Most Improved Player award winner Jimmy Butler has dominated all headlines regarding the franchise, as his impending unrestricted free agency in the summer of 2025 has led to plenty of trade speculation.
A former candidate for MVP, Defensive Player of the Year and Clutch Player of the Year, the 35-year-old Butler’s status as a possible trade chip has been theorized in league circles for months, but recent reports shared by Forbes’ Evan Sidery via Twitter/X have indicated that his mind is set on one destination in particular.
“Jimmy Butler is absolutely interested in coming to the Phoenix Suns,” shared Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Phoenix talk show host John Gambadoro Thursday evening.
“If he were to be traded from the Miami Heat, the Phoenix Suns are very, very high on his list. I would go as far as to say that I believe that this will be his No. 1 choice, is to come play for the Phoenix Suns.”
Along with the latest reports from ESPN’s Senior NBA Insider Shams Charania, Gambadoro’s statements come from sources that they claim to be fully vetted and correct.
Even though Butler’s agent Bernie Lee recently came out to dispel any rumors of Butler’s availability for trade, both Charania and now Gambadoro have stood behind their sources and information, reiterating that it is completely reliable.
With Butler’s reported assertion that Phoenix is at the top of his preferred list of trade destinations, the Suns could very well carry momentum toward getting a deal done to acquire Miami’s superstar as rumors continue to run rampant.
In theory, Phoenix could use the leverage and pressure on Miami's front office created from these developments to hopefully land Butler. In return for their two-way force, Miami could potentially seek a large contract like Bradley Beal, a young prospect like Ryan Dunn or Oso Ighodaro and a combination of first and second-round draft capital.
With the potential acquisition of Butler, a Phoenix team that began the season with a 9-2 record prior to a poorly timed injury to former league MVP Kevin Durant would be provided with one of the best playoff performers of the past decade as they gear up for a deep postseason run.
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