The Jimmy Butler saga with the Miami Heat has been escalating as the trade deadline approaches.
Naturally, there have been many teams trying to acquire the six-time All-Star amidst the drama, but the Phoenix Suns have reportedly been Butler’s No. 1 option.
Well, the Suns’ latest moves have shown their persistence in acquiring the Heat forward. They are acquiring the draft capital necessary to obtain Butler.
The Phoenix Suns are trading their 2031 unprotected first to the Utah Jazz for three first-round picks, sources tell ESPN. The Suns are acquiring the least favorable firsts in 2025 of Cleveland/Minnesota, 2027 of Cleveland/Minnesota/Utah and 2029 of Cleveland/Minnesota/Utah.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 22, 2025
Fans reacted to the probability of Butler wearing a Suns jersey soon.
My heart just dropped but Jimmy Butler is a Phoenix Sun now we wait for confirmation… #SunsUp https://t.co/6EOAOLnQ45 pic.twitter.com/FdA5sogE3X
— ☆ (@Stunna999_) January 22, 2025
The combination of Butler, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker is enough to scare any opposing defense.
And enough to encourage onlooking Suns fans…with a bit of hesitance. Phoenix acquiring large stars hasn’t exactly produced the success they’ve hoped for the last few seasons.
Did the Suns just trade a top 5 pick for three picks in the 20s so they can trade for Jimmy Butler and lose in the first round?
— Jake Issenberg (@jakeissenberg) January 22, 2025
Still, the possibility of three multi-time All-Stars combined only leaves fans’ imaginations to run wild.
Man Jimmy Butler must have checked his phone pregame he’s a Sun by the end of this week he geeked https://t.co/L080Xok8N2
— ☆ (@Stunna999_) January 22, 2025
DID BUTLER TAKE SHOT AT HEAT COACH AND MANAGEMENT?
Butler attended the Unrivaled women’s basketball game between Phantom BC and Vinyl BC. After praising the new women’s basketball league during a sideline interview, Butler took aim at Phantom BC coach Adam Harrington.
“Anybody can do what he do … He’s just lucky he’s got such good players that they make him look good,” Butler said, “because he’s not that great at what he does.
“But my goodness, having hoopers like he’s’ got on his team … he’s a lucky guy,” Butler continued.
Butler knows Harrington well, having practiced with the former Dallas Mavericks guard as recently as October. Given Butler’s reputation for sarcasm and pettiness, we’re not sure if he’s genuinely dissing Harrington or just poking fun.
However, Butler made further comments some social media users perceived as a shot at Heat management, specifically coach Erik Spoelstra and president Pat Riley.
“Coaches are good, but when you got some talented players, they always make you look so much better,” Butler said.
Jayden Armant is a graduate of the Howard University School of Communications and a contributor to Miami Heat on SI. He can be reached at jaydenshome14@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @jaydenarmant.
