As the Jimmy Butler saga proceeds, one potential trade partner would reportedly be willing to give him a new deal.

NBA insider Marc Stein reported Sunday that the Phoenix Suns are “widely regarded as the team most interested in trading for Butler.” What’s more, Suns governor Matt Ishbia “is believed to be as willing to sign the 35-year-old to a lucrative new contract as anyone you’ll find.”

Butler has a $52.4 million player option for the 2025-26 campaign, so his immediate future will be of concern for any team that trades for him.

If he opts out of that deal, he would only be a short-term rental for any suitor. If he opts into it, he will be an expensive commitment during his age-36 season in 2025-26.

That doesn’t appear to be a problem for Ishbia, who is no stranger to veteran stars on his team. After all, Kevin Durant is 36 years old and remains one of the best players in the league and a primary reason Phoenix has realistic aspirations for a deep postseason run.

Still, it might take some maneuvering to make a Butler trade happen.

As Stein explained, the Suns are “well aware” the Heat are not interested in taking on Bradley Beal and a 2031 first-round pick for Butler. That means Phoenix would “clearly need to find a third team willing to take on Beal’s contract (which owes him $110 million over the next two seasons) to have any shot at actually trading for Butler … in addition to Beal’s willingness to waive his no-trade clause.”

The idea of Durant, Devin Booker and Butler playing together come playoff time may be worth such maneuvering from Ishbia’s perspective.

But the Suns could look to wait the Heat out some given the Eastern Conference’s team lack of leverage in many negotiations. Miami already suspended Butler and said it is open to trading him, while Butler told reporters he likely won’t get his “joy” back playing for the Heat.

“Right now, I think you’re seeing a lot of teams testing just how low they might be able to buy Jimmy Butler for,” ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said on SportsCenter.

Perhaps the Suns will be one of those teams, although they will need to make some changes in the relatively near future if they are going to be a threat in the Western Conference considering they are just 15-18 and 1.5 games out of the final spot in the play-in tournament.