Suns would be crazy to trade for Jimmy Butler after latest developments

The Phoenix Suns are by no means a true contender in the Western Conference at this stage of the regular season, but they do look to have figured some of their biggest issues out. Bradley Beal is coming off the bench and - publically at least - appears to have accepted that's what his role is going to be on this team.

Center Jusuf Nurkic has been benched altogether, with the energy and hustle of new addition Nick Richards apparent for this group right away. Even Mason Plumlee has gotten in on the action lately, to ensure the center rotation has gone from the franchise's biggest weakness, to an area of far less concern.

Yet they still continue to be linked with Jimmy Butler.

Butler remains a member of the Miami Heat, with the latest intel from some NBA Insiders suggesting that the best way for the Suns to actually get him would be by sending Beal to the Chicago Bulls in a three-team deal. That sounds great in theory - and there are also some reasons why Beal himself may want to do it - but Beal's no-trade clause means he holds all the power here.

In any event the latest out of South Beach regarding Butler should be all the reason the Suns need to officially end their interest in the 35-year-old. He has been suspended once again by the Heat - this time indefinitely - in the strongest indication yet that he will be move before the league's trade deadline.

But given that the Suns are looking as happy and cohesive as they have all season on the court - an admittedly low bar to clear - bringing Butler onboard all of a sudden does not look like the smart move. It was one thing to talk themselves into it when Beal was starting and Nurkic was on the court, with the Suns looking in danger of missing the playoffs entirely.

But they've won eight of their last 10 games and although the schedule did soften for them, there is more clarity on the pecking order here. Head coach Mike Budenholzer recently played eight guys in a win over the L.A. Clippers, in what sure looked like his playoff rotation (minus Ryan Dunn who is missing with an ankle sprain).

That group looked pretty good out there, and when their 3-point shots are falling collectively they look solid on both ends of the court. Adding Butler to that equation - in place of Beal most likely - would do what exactly? Butler would have to start, while the Suns would lose their best offensive weapon off the bench in Beal.

That would likely knock point guard Tyus Jones to the second unit - a player who has had his own struggles recently - and who really only makes sense when setting up Devin Booker and Kevin Durant. The organization would do all of that, and then this summer give Butler a max contract to stick around for the pleasure. Does that sound like a good plan?

As of this moment the Suns are slowly rehabbing Beal's trade value - albeit slowly - while Nurkic is a lost cause altogether. They may have to attach a first round pick to get rid of him, but the team would still have more flexibility and two first rounders moving forward if that does happen. The alternative is giving it all up for Butler, and watching what little hope for the future they have vanish entirely.

Butler would likely improve this team in the short-term, but is he the missing piece on a championship team? Remember how his time with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Philadelphia 76ers ended, and how ugly it is getting in Miami. Why would Phoenix be any different in the end? It wouldn't, although Butler would be closer to 40 and would have zero trade value when it did. Yikes.