The Jimmy Butler trade saga got another development this week when his list of preferred destinations was revealed to the world. Contrary to initial thinking, there’s only one team that Butler wants to join right now: the Phoenix Suns.
“I’ve been told that Jimmy Butler has one preferred destination, and that’s Phoenix and it’s easy to see why,” said Chris Mannix on the ‘Open Floor’ podcast. “Veteran team has a couple of great players, and most importantly an owner who probably wouldn’t flinch at giving him a nine-figure extension.”
Butler’s falling out with the Heat has put him at the front and center of the rumor mill and we know that Pat Riley is already listening to several offers. While the Phoenix Suns have no easy means to acquire Butler, it’s the only place he wants to play right now mostly because they’re the only team willing to offer him the extension he seeks.
“There’s been some chatter about other teams, most notably Memphis over the last few days,” said Mannix. “From what I’m hearing, Jimmy doesn’t want to go to Memphis. Jimmy doesn’t want to go to Sacramento. Jimmy doesn’t want to go to Denver. He wants to go to Phoenix where he hopes he can land that 2-year, $111 million-ish contract extension that would take him into retirement.”
Butler, 35, has become the subject of countless rumors after his suspension from the Heat resulted in a league-wide race to acquire the 6x All-Star. As one of the best two-way wing players in the league, Butler is a high-impact star who is known for elevating his game in the playoffs. At 35 years old, Butler is at the end of his NBA timeline but with averages of 17.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game on 55.2% shooting, he’s still considered among the elite stars of the game.
While many teams have been connected to Jimmy, it seems he only has eyes for one right now. Sadly, for the Grizzlies, Lakers, Kings, and Nuggets, he desires to be with the Phoenix Suns and play alongside Kevin Durant and Devin Booker while closing his career on a lucrative $111 million deal.
Of course, Suns owner Mat Ishbia is willing to do whatever it takes to bring Butler to town but it won’t be easy to pull off. The only way it’s possible is if Bradley Beal waives his no-trade clause to create financial flexibility.
The Suns have already taken extreme tactics to try and force Beal out of town but there’s not much that they can do if he decides to stay where he is and refuse any potential trade. In that case, Butler may have to open his list of preferred destinations to include one or two more teams.
For now, the Phoenix Suns have the clearest path to Butler and it makes sense that he’d want to go there given the presence of stars, their willingness to pay, and their status as one of the most stacked teams in the West.
Only time will tell how the Butler sweepstakes end, but it’s been an unexpected turn of events for the 35-year-old veteran. Since the offers are so low, the Heat are still waiting for the right package before they make a move but with a few weeks to go before February’s deadline, it won’t be long before some major changes are made.
Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We appreciate your support.
