Jimmy Butler is certainly interested in joining the Phoenix Suns. Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro reports that the Suns are one of the few possible landing spots for the current Miami Heat star if he leaves Florida, and that Phoenix could be the favorite. Ta.
“I always take a little bit of time to make sure the story is accurate,” Gambadoro said on Thursday’s Burns & Gumbo show. “Jimmy Butler is absolutely interested in coming to the Phoenix Suns.
“I would go so far as to say that I believe playing for the Phoenix Suns would be his number one choice.”
ESPN’s Shams Charania first reported Wednesday that Butler was interested in the Suns, along with three other teams. This angered Butler’s agent, and Butler went for a three-post screed at the X.
Butler posted a photo Thursday afternoon with new orange highlights in his hair, further fueling rumors that he is looking for a new team.
Fans were quick to piece together his hair color change this season, and the four teams Charania claimed to join: yellow (Warriors), blue (Mavericks), red (Rockets), and orange (Suns). We have compiled the corresponding items.
Gambadoro said the Suns (12-11) are not currently close to trading Butler, but intend to play the next 10 to 15 games with a potentially healthy roster and see what they have. It is said that
Kevin Durant (ankle) is on track to be healthy and available this weekend, and Phoenix is 11-2 in games he has played.
The teams’ schedules are also relatively light, with the lineup from now until January 16th looking like this: Jazz, Blazers, Pacers, Pistons, Nuggets, Nuggets, Mavericks, Warriors, Grizzlies, Pacers, Sixers, Hornets, Hawks, Jazz, Hornets, Hawks, Wizards.
How could the Suns trade Jimmy Butler?
If Phoenix was interested in Butler, they would have to release Bradley Beal from his contract, and Beal would also have to release the no-trade clause in his contract.
Because the Suns are a second-apron team, their salary cannot be added to Butler’s contract, as he averages 19.0 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game.
Butler’s current salary is $48.8 million, with a player option for next year at age 36 of $52.4 million.
Gambadoro, as determined by Spotrac.com’s Keith Smith, could theoretically allow Phoenix and Miami to pull off a two-team trade if the Heat were to sign the veteran’s minimum contract in the Suns’ direction. admitted that.
The Heat won’t be able to make a one-on-one trade as they will be forced into second apron territory.
Phoenix will need to send more additions to Miami, including draft picks, but Gambadoro added that he doesn’t believe the Suns will give up a 2031 first-round pick to get a deal done. Ta.
This question leads us to the following question that makes such a contract seem unsustainable: Would they want to take on Beal’s contract that pays a player option?
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