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The Phoenix Suns will likely have to involve a third team in a deal for Jimmy Butler that involves Bradley Beal, but the latter reportedly has no interest in going to the Chicago Bulls to facilitate such a move.
Fred Katz of The Athletic reported Monday that Beal will not waive his no-trade clause to go to the Windy City despite some suggestion the Bulls might work as the third team in such a scenario.
Including this season, Beal has $160 million remaining on his deal over the next three years.
That means the only realistic way for the Suns to acquire Butler is by including Beal in a trade because they aren’t going to move Kevin Durant or Devin Booker. Yet the no-trade clause and overall contract certainly complicate the possibilities, as illustrated by his reported unwillingness to go to the Bulls.
Katz noted the Miami Heat do not want to take on long-term money in a Butler deal, which is why Beal will have to go elsewhere.
What’s more, Katz reported Beal wants to go to a winning team as his first priority and a team in a warm-weather city as a secondary priority. Chicago is 19-27 and a cold-weather city, so it is not surprising it doesn’t appeal to the guard.
It is yet another development in the seemingly never-ending Butler saga.
Miami announced it suspended Butler indefinitely and for no fewer than five games on Monday for leaving practice early. It was the third time the Heat have suspended him in the last month alone, underscoring how ugly the situation has gotten.
The six-time All-Star even wore shoes with a Suns colorway in a recent game:
However, the front office might have to find the correct destination for Beal first. And it reportedly isn’t going to be Chicago.
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