The Phoenix Suns sit at 14-12 in the Western Conference, miles below the level of play that saw them roar out of the gates to an 8-1 start. Injuries are the main reason why, and they have not let up either. Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal might be healthy again, but Devin Booker currently is not.
Trading for a superstar like Jimmy Butler is one sure way to both get the league talking about the Suns again, and also change their current course. One which looks destined to end in much the same way last season did, but crashing into the rocks of a first round opponent and promptly sinking without trace.
Despite the persistent chatter, a deal for Butler isn't going to happen.
The Suns are on course to pay over $440 million in salary and luxury tax this season alone - the highest mark in the history of the league - and they're also over the second apron. The chances of them getting Butler - who at 35-years-old is in the tail end of his prime - were already slim, and Beal's no-trade clause makes it even less likely.
There is actually a scenario in which this deal could happen, and it would involve the Miami Heat taking on Beal, sending Butler to the Valley and also finding a third team for guard Alec Burks. Again though that would all hinge on Beal signing off on the trade - and in his most recent media availability - he didn't want to even go there.
Bradley Beal on the Jimmy Butler trade rumors: “The same thing until one of them comes and says something to me and talks to me. It’s just out there. I’m a Phoenix Sun and I’m here and I’m in a uniform, but I don’t pay attention to that, man. They did that with me for 10 years” pic.twitter.com/trkBiu6alt
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) December 20, 2024
But even if Beal could somehow be convinced, the reality is that the Heat aren't taking on Beal's eye-watering deal. He's making over $50 million this season alone, and is owed $110 million across the next two seasons after this one. The Heat are a well run organization who don't typically take wild swings like this unless they know they can win - just like they did with Butler - and Beal is not that.
They went to a pair of NBA Finals with Butler as their best player, while at only 31-years-old Beal can no longer remain consistently healthy. He has already shown that - if he is the best player you have at this point in his career - then you are not going to get very far. The idea of Butler and Beal three years ago would have been something, but we are way past that now.
Jimmy Butler appears to hurt his ankle then leaves game because he was "feeling ill."
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) December 21, 2024
Spoelstra on Butler showing up ill: "I'm not saying any other thought. If guys say they can go, we're going, right now."pic.twitter.com/WLiBsFackD
On top of all of that, the recent play of Butler has surely elevated his trade value. He is not a depreciating asset - unlike Beal - and looks like he could be the second or third best player on a championship winning team. Which is ironically what the Suns would need him to be, while his ability to defend wing scorers would give Phoenix everything that Beal currently does not.
They might have landed Durant, Chris Paul and even Beal himself against the odds in the past, but this is where the magic tricks of the Suns' front office run out. Nobody wants Beal's deal - it is one of the worst in the league - and as we've already broken down, they don't have the right draft picks to attach to get this deal over the line either. It's nice to dream though.