The Suns are trying to make the Jazz trade not about Jimmy Butler

The The Phoenix Suns made a big move they recently traded their 2031 first round draft pick to the Utah Jazz for three future first rounders. Almost everyone knows this deal is tied to the Suns trying to acquire Jimmy Butler by the Suns, but the team almost seems to be trying downplay the significance of the moveaccording to Mark Stein.

“While tripling their first-round capital should theoretically improve their prospects of making a viable trade in Butler, there was plenty of talk circulating late Tuesday to frame the idea that the Suns are chasing increased flexibility in a more general sense,” he wrote Stein.

“One league executive noted that Phoenix could simply keep the 2025 first-round pick now coming this June from Utah (via Cleveland) and try to use that selection again like it used the 22nd pick in the 2024 NBA draft.” – trading in exchange for three future second round picks and opportunity to add a player they wanted in that range anyway: Ryan Dunn. The No. 28 overall pick has been a useful addition to the Phoenix program … both on the field as a 3-and-D swingman and on the league’s most expensive payroll with his rookie team contract,” Stein continued.

While the Suns may have more flexibility moving forward with the draft pick they acquired, it’s clear the real goal is to get Butler on the team by the deadline. Regardless of the situation, there is still one domino that needs to fall, and that is Bradley Beal waiving his no-trade clause.

One piece missing from the Jimmy Butler-Suns trade

Although the Suns made a move to acquire multiple draft picks in a potential trade for Jimmy Butler, Bradley Beal will have to waive his no-trade clause to make it work. As now, The sun didn’t come close to Beal about giving up the clause, and that makes it uncertain whether the trade will happen at all.

Bill has indicated that he wants to stay with the Suns, but there have also been rumors that he wouldn’t mind playing for the Milwaukee Bucks. If that’s the case, the Bucks would likely enter into a deal and acquire Beal while sending Khris Middleton and some other players to other teams.

Right now, it looks like the only way for Butler to come to the Suns is in a three- or four-team deal. Butler continued to play with the Heat even after being suspended for seven games, but he tripled his trade demand and he is ready to go to another team.