NBA Rumors: Jimmy Butler, Bradley Beal 3-Team Trade with Suns, Bucks Not 'Impossible'

The Miami Heat reportedly could have willing trade partners in a potential deal that would move disgruntled star Jimmy Butler out of South Beach.

According to Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports, sources indicated that "a complicated three-team deal" featuring Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal and involvement from the Milwaukee Bucks "no longer seems impossible."

Goodwill noted that such a deal would require Beal to waive his no-trade clause, and he added that it could end up being a straight-up trade between the Heat and Suns rather than a three-team deal. He also stated that there are "whispers" of the Washington Wizards and Toronto Raptors getting involved in the deal, but "it seems the momentum is geared toward this getting done soon, perhaps in the next few days."

Phoenix appeared to position itself for a potential trade for Butler when it acquired three first-round picks from the Utah Jazz in exchange for their 2031 first-round pick on Tuesday. ESPN's Shams Charania noted that the Suns are among Butler's preferred trade destinations.

Now equipped with more assets to move, Phoenix could turn Butler's wish into a reality. The 35-year-old has made no attempts to hide his unhappiness with the Heat, and it's been reflecting in his play.

Butler is averaging just 17.0 points across his 25 appearances this season, his lowest mark since his third year in the NBA in 2013-14. After serving a seven-game suspension from the Heat earlier this month, he's played in just five games in January and failed to reach double digits three times.

A change in scenery would surely help shift Butler's attitude and motivate him to return to his usual level of performance, but time is winding down before the Feb. 6 trade deadline arrives.