Suns, Warriors Remain In Pursuit Of Jimmy Butler; Heat Not Liking Offers

The Miami Heat have yet to receive a trade package that they’ve found suitable for Jimmy Butler with just days to go before the NBA trade deadline, per Shams Charania of ESPN.Jimmy Butler,. NBA, Heat

The Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors remain in pursuit of Butler.

“From Jimmy Butler’s perspective, the Suns are the only team right now that he is willing to commit long-term to,” Charania said on SportsCenter. “That’s something that is known in league circles.”

Both the Heat and Butler are believed to be working to find a deal. That said, Butler reportedly has blocked several attempts at a trade.

“Butler’s obsession with getting to the Phoenix Suns is bizarrely admirable,” ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said on Get Up. “He has torched his relationship with the Heat and hurt the team’s season. He has also blocked trade options that would be good fits, where he could have potentially gotten paid and been on a contender.

“But he’s the rare difference-maker who can tilt the outcome of a playoff series and that comes with a lot of power. Butler is trying to use it.”

So far, Butler has indicated he’s unwilling to sign a contract extension with Golden State. He is currently suspended by the Heat — for the third time this season — and expected to not play another game for them.

Miami is feeling no obligation to move Butler to Phoenix, sources said. He could end up elsewhere, as some teams may be fine with trading for him even if he doesn’t indicate he’d sign an extension there.

The Suns are having major issues putting together a deal for Butler, given that guard Bradley Beal has a no-trade clause in his contract. So Phoenix is limited in what it can do.

Butler is averaging 17.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.4 blocks for the Heat while shooting 54.0% from the field, 36.1% from beyond the arc and 80.1% from the free-throw line. He is making $48.8 million this season and has a player option worth $52.4 million for next season. 

The NBA trade deadline is Thursday at 3 p.m. EST.

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