Currently Miami Heat’s Jimmy Butler is serving a 7-game suspension under the pretext of “conduct detrimental to the team” after he requested a trade. As the February 6th trade deadline approaches closer, hasty decisions are understandable.
Apparently, the Phoenix Suns might be the next landing spot for the point guard, according to trade rumors. Kevin Durant has also shown interest in teaming up with Butler. However, NBA TV analyst Dennis Scott advised the players to tread with caution, as it might not work out in the long run. Scott highlighted Durant’s history of bailing out on his teams and teammates, from Russell Westbrook in OKC to Stephen Curry in GSW:
“I wanna hear KD say he wants Jimmy….KD, how you left Steph to go be with Kyrie and now you’re there, and now you want to bring Jimmy into this with Book, I don’t like it at all. I don’t like Jimmy Butler around Devin Booker and KD at all.”
“I don’t like Jimmy Butler around Booker and KD at all” 👀
With the February 6th trade deadline looming, @Dennis3DScott weighs in on the latest rumors surrounding Jimmy Butler and Miami 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/McuPCfzBbh
— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 12, 2025
Scott is harping on the idea that Butler’s addition to the roster could be detrimental to the chemistry between Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. This domino effect could hinder their playoff hopes, especially since the Suns are already struggling to compete without Kevin Durant. Right now, the Suns are in 11th place in the Western Conference with an 18-19 record.
Kendrick Perkins reveals Jimmy Butler’s interest in teaming up with Kevin Durant
Former center, Kendrick Perkins, recently broke the news that as per his sources, “Kevin Durant wants Jimmy Butler” in Pheonix. Retired NBA champ further disclosed that besides the camaraderie and a fair contract, it’s also about the “money”. Here’s what he had to say about the trade.
“From my sources… the Suns have a 2-year, $121 million extension waiting on Jimmy… Kevin Durant wants Jimmy Butler, and if he does get Jimmy Butler… they’ll both gonna sign contract extensions.”
– Big Perk
(via @RoadTrippinPod / @ClutchPoints )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 9, 2025
“From my sources… the Suns have a 2-year, $121 million extension waiting on Jimmy… Kevin Durant wants Jimmy Butler, and if he does get Jimmy Butler which I believe he will… they’ll both gonna sign contract extensions. KD is gonna sign as well”
This would be Jimmy Butler‘s fifth franchise in 14 years in the league. Kevin Durant has also had similar short stints with various teams, starting with the Seattle Supersonics (which later became OKC), followed by a championship run with the GSW dynasty, and then Brooklyn, before his current tenure with Phoenix.
Kevin Durant continues to shoulder the team’s burden mostly alone, playing despite dealing with a noted left ankle sprain. Devin Booker has been reliable at times as a number two guy, but is plagued by injury himself. Jimmy Butler going to the Suns will undoubtedly change their dynamic, and will surely be watched closely by GMs across the league.
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