NBA Trade Rumors: Bruce Brown Eyed by Heat amid Jimmy Butler, Raptors Buzz

Given the difficulties of pulling off a two-team deal for Jimmy Butler to a destination that he would approve of, the Miami Heat may be able to get some help facilitating a deal from the Toronto Raptors.

Per NBA insider Jake Fischer, one general manager said the Raptors "want to get involved" in any deal involving Butler and the Heat have shown interest in adding Bruce Brown as part of their return in a potential trade.

Butler will serve the second game of his two-game suspension on Saturday when the Heat take on the Brooklyn Nets. He was disciplined by the team for the second time in three weeks for a "continued pattern of disregard of team rules" that included missing their flight to Milwaukee for Thursday's game against the Bucks.

The Phoenix Suns have been cited as a team aggressively pursuing Butler, but their path to acquire him is complicated by several factors. Among them is a lack of trade assets to include, on top of Bradley Beal, who has a full no-trade clause, likely being the player Phoenix would send out.

ESPN's Shams Charania has said there are various scenarios being explored that could feature as many as five teams involved in whatever a final deal for Butler looks like.

Another potential issue is satisfying all of the demands the Heat want to move on from Butler. Per ESPN's Tim Bontemps, their list includes "players who can help now, young talent, draft capital and salary that expires by the summer of 2026."

Brown's contract would fit what the Heat are looking for, as he is playing on a $23 million expiring contract this season. It would also seem unlikely he finishes this season in Toronto given where the Raptors are at in the standings and focused on a long-term rebuild.

There's also usually a strong market for wing players at the trade deadline every year because contending teams always need more depth at that spot. Brown is a versatile defender who is shooting 47.0 percent from the field this season.

If the Heat fancy themselves as a playoff contender this season, even if they trade Butler, a player like Brown could help them achieve that goal. They are currently ninth in the Eastern Conference with a 21-22 record.