Suns Trade Rumors: With Bradley Beal deal unlikely, $37.5 million player could be moved, per report
Over the past few weeks, it has become clear that the Phoenix Suns are in need of change if they hope to make waves in the postseason. While there has been tons of talk surrounding a potential Jimmy Butler trade, the fact remains that a straight-up trade between Phoenix and Miami is unlikely given Beal's $53.6M salary next season.
Given that, it appears as though Phoenix either needs a third team to help facilitate a trade with the Heat, or it needs to start looking at other potential moves.
According to Fred Katz of The Athletic, the next logical move could be a Jusuf Nurkic trade, however, as Katz wrote, that might be easier said than done given Nurkic's remaining $37.5 million contract.
With Bradley Beal unlikely to ask for a trade unless approached by the franchise, Katz reported that the Suns are still making calls about Beal and Nurkic.
With the Feb. 6 trade deadline rapidly approaching, we may soon have an answer to what the future holds for Phoenix, a team sitting in 10th place in the Western Conference.
Jimmy Butler reportedly all-in on Phoenix Suns trade despite obstacles standing in team's way
While the Phoenix Suns may have to navigate the metaphorical hurdle that is Bradley Beal's contract if they want to acquire Jimmy Butler, it sounds like the Heat forward is all-in on the idea.
Since returning to action for Miami late last week after a seven-game suspension for "conduct detrimental to the team," Butler is back with the team. Despite that, according to Brian Windhorst, who spoke on Monday's episode of the Hoop Collective podcast, Jimmy Butler wants to play in Phoenix.
"Not getting traded to 'Team X,' not getting traded to 'Team Y,' getting traded to the Phoenix Suns. And so, anything that you want to bring that's rational, if it doesn't mean getting traded to the Suns, Jimmy is not going to be interested in it right now."
The big question, of course, is whether or not Phoenix is able to find another team to help facilitate a deal between now and the Feb. 6 deadline. According to Doug Smith of The Toronto Star, the Raptors front office has expressed a willingness to play the part of a third, or even fourth team to help get a deal done.
Whether that means acquiring Beal and sending Miami assets the team deems valuable, or something else entirely, remains unclear.