All signs point to embattled Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler potentially joining the Phoenix Suns in the coming weeks.

According to longtime Phoenix radio host John Gambadoro, the NBA is strongly rooting against such an outcome.

“Spoke with an NBA player tonight who said the league does not want Butler in Phoenix,” Gambadoro reported on X (formerly Twitter) early Wednesday morning.

Gambadoro said a Butler trade makes the Suns an “instant contender,” a point we don’t necessarily disagree with. Butler would join Devin Booker and Kevin Durant on a Suns team needing a third superstar to break through in the Western Conference.

Although the 35-year-old Butler brings plenty of mileage and baggage, Gambadoro is focusing on the positives. He called Butler an “alpha male” and “culture setter” who can guard several West standouts, including LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Luka Dončić.

“Posts up, Gets to FT line, will do dirty work KD and Book don’t do, will get 6-7 assists and rebounds per game,” Gambadoro added. “Hi IQ, winner at highest level, can win you a series, big time in playoffs, will be motivated!”

ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania reported Tuesday night the Suns will acquire the least favorable firsts in 2025 of Cleveland/Minnesota, 2027 of Cleveland/Minnesota/Utah and 2029 of Cleveland/Minnesota/Utah.

Phoenix can trade those picks immediately. Charania said the Suns will likely receive the Cavaliers’ 2025 first-round pick.

The Suns are widely viewed as a contender for Butler, who requested a trade Jan. 2. The six-time All-Star returned to the court Jan. 17 following a seven-game suspension and has started the Heat’s last three games.

Phoenix would likely need to include veteran guard Bradley Beal in any potential Butler deal to make salaries work. 

The trade deadline is Feb. 6.

COULD BUTLER LAND WITH GRIZZLIES? 

NBA analyst Kevin O’Connor reported on his podcast this week that Butler prefers not to join the Memphis Grizzlies. O’Connor said Butler believes the Grizzlies won’t offer him a long-term contract; the 35-year-old forward will hit unrestricted free agency this summer if he declines his $52 million player option.

But?

“But because his value is so deflated, and because Miami might just want to take the best offer available, maybe Memphis could still make that best offer,” O’Connor said.

O’Connor said Memphis could offer veteran guard Marcus Smart, power forward Brandon Clarke, and shooting guard Luke Kennard to make salaries work. The Grizzlies would also almost certainly include multiple draft picks.

The Grizzlies entered play Wednesday at 28-15 and holding third place in the Western Conference.

“Jimmy Butler would be a great fit for this roster,” O’Connor said.

SHAQ WANTS JIMMY IN GOLDEN STATE

The expectation is if the Heat trade embattled forward Butler, they’ll partner him with Phoenix Suns superstars Devin Booker and Kevin Durant.

NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal thinks Butler will fit best with a future Hall of Famer. Durant isn’t the one O’Neal has in mind, though.

“I like [Butler] at Golden State,” O’Neal said on The Big Podcast, “because when he was at Miami, he used to drive me crazy. [He’d] go all the way to the lane and kick it out for a three. 

“I’m like, ‘Bro, lay the g–damn ball up!” O’Neal continued. “That would work in Golden State because of the system they play.”

The Warriors entered play Wednesday at 21-21, good enough for 11th place in the Western Conference. Golden State would miss the Play-In Tournament if the season ended today. 

We’ll see if that reality alone incentivizes the Warriors to add Butler in the coming weeks.

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Jake Elman works as a contributing writer to Miami Heat on SI. He can be reached at jakeelman97@gmail.com or follow him on X @JakeElman97.