NBA Rumors: Heat Have 'No Desire' to Take on Suns' Bradley Beal in Jimmy Butler Trade

Now that the Miami Heat have started exploring the trade market for Jimmy Butler, one potential option they won't consider is taking back Bradley Beal from the Phoenix Suns.

Per ESPN's Bobby Marks, the Heat have "no desire" to take on Beal's contract in a deal involving Butler and the Suns would have to find a third team if they hope to facilitate a trade.

Butler's tenure with the Heat seems likely to end sooner than later. The team announced on Friday they suspended the six-time All-Star for seven games due to conduct detrimental to the team "over the course of the season and particularly the last several weeks."

Included in the Heat's statement was an acknowledgement they "will listen to offers" for Butler.

The move came after Butler explicitly said during his postgame press conference after Thursday's loss to the Indiana Pacers that he wants to get his joy back playing basketball and he "probably" can't do that in Miami.

The NBPA issued a statement announcing it intends to appeal the suspension on Butler's behalf, calling it "excessive and inappropriate."

Phoenix has long been thought of as a potential landing spot for Butler. ESPN's Shams Charania reported on Christmas Day the Suns were among four teams on Butler's preferred list of destinations, along with the Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks and Golden State Warriors.

There is a scenario where the Heat could decide to keep Butler for the rest of this season and let him leave as a free agent in the summer by opting out of his contract. Marks noted they would be $47 million under the tax if that were to happen.

Beal is owed $53.7 million next season and has a $57.1 million player option for 2026-27. He would also have to agree to any deal since his contract includes a full no-trade clause.

The Suns figure to explore as many different options as possible leading up to the Feb. 6 trade deadline. They have lost nine of their last 12 games and are currently 11th in the Western Conference with a 15-17 record.

Butler's 17.6 points per game this season are his fewest since 2013-14, but he's shooting a career-high 55.2 percent from the field in 22 starts.