The Phoenix Suns trading their unprotected 2031 first to the Utah Jazz for three, less-favorable first-round picks on Tuesday sent shockwaves through Miami, but reports indicate that the Suns are still far away from acquiring Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler.
According to NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer, there is a growing sentiment in Miami that Phoenix’s picks deal brings the Suns a step closer to completing a trade for Butler.
Here are the specifics of the deal:
- Jazz acquire the Suns’ 2031 first-round pick (unprotected).
- Suns acquire the least favorable 2025 first-round pick from the Cavaliers or Timberwolves; the least favorable 2027 first-round pick from the Cavaliers, Timberwolves or Jazz; and the least-favorable of the 2029 first-round pick from the Cavaliers, Timberwolves or Jazz.
However, league sources told The Stein Line insiders that the Suns made the trade with the Jazz without a specific follow-up move lined up.
The Suns have also not broached a trade with Bradley Beal, who holds the cards in a trade due to his no-trade clause.
Beal has yet to waive his no-trade clause.
Another crucial data point: A separate source told The Stein Line that the Suns, as of Tuesday night, had still not presented any trade scenarios for Bradley Beal to consider and tell them if he would be willing to waive his no-trade clause.
The Suns are widely known to prioritize adding Butler before the Feb. 6 trade deadline, and Butler has made it clear that Phoenix is his preferred destination.