The NBA trade deadline is just around the corner, and as always, the rumor mill is buzzing with big names like Jimmy Butler, De’Aaron Fox, and Bradley Beal dominating the conversation. The Miami Heat recently made headlines by suspending Jimmy Butler indefinitely after he walked out of a shootaround upon learning he would be benched. While this doesn’t guarantee a trade, it’s the strongest signal yet that the Heat are considering moving on from the star forward.
The league is in a holding pattern as teams wait to see how the Jimmy Butler situation unfolds. Sellers are holding off on deals, hoping to capitalize on potential cap-clearing opportunities, while buyers are hesitant to commit to other targets without clarity on Butler’s future. Monday’s developments may have set the stage for a blockbuster deal, and unsurprisingly, much of today’s trade chatter revolves around Butler.
But first, let’s shift our focus to Sacramento, where there’s some intriguing news…
De’Aaron Fox Linked to San Antonio Spurs
The Sacramento Kings are reportedly preparing to engage in trade discussions involving All-Star point guard De’Aaron Fox ahead of the February 6 deadline. Fox, one of the league’s most dynamic guards, is expected to draw significant interest. However, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Fox has a preferred destination in mind as he approaches free agency in 2026. Kings insider James Ham suggests that destination is the San Antonio Spurs, a team in need of a franchise cornerstone to pair with Victor Wembanyama.
Bradley Beal Blocks Potential Move to Chicago Bulls
The Phoenix Suns face a major hurdle in any potential Jimmy Butler trade: Bradley Beal’s no-trade clause. Unless the Suns are willing to part with Devin Booker or Kevin Durant (which they aren’t), any deal involving Butler would require Beal’s approval. So far, Beal has shown little interest in waiving his no-trade clause, and now the Chicago Bulls can be crossed off the list of possible destinations.
The Bulls had been seen as a logical fit for Beal for several reasons. With Zach LaVine potentially on the move, Chicago has the salary space to absorb Beal’s contract. Additionally, the Bulls are in rebuilding mode and could have used Beal to acquire future assets. However, according to The Athletic’s Fred Katz, Beal has no interest in joining the Bulls. It’s not hard to see why—why would a player leave a contender in a warm-weather city for a rebuilding team in a colder climate?
Beal hasn’t ruled out a trade entirely, but the Bulls don’t meet his criteria. If the Suns can find a contender in a more desirable location, Beal might be open to a move. But if Chicago is the best option, it seems Beal will stay put, and Butler’s path to Phoenix will remain blocked.
Is Miami Lowering Its Asking Price for Jimmy Butler?
Jimmy Butler’s trade value has always been a bit of a mystery. While he’s a former All-Star and one of the league’s top playoff performers, he’s also 35 years old and plays a physically demanding style that may not age well. Add in his desire for a contract extension and his recent disruptive behavior, and it’s easy to see why teams might hesitate. So far, only the Suns have shown serious interest in acquiring him.
However, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, the Heat are becoming more flexible in their demands. Windhorst reported on SportsCenter that Miami has lowered its asking price and is “willing to do more” to facilitate a deal. While he didn’t provide specifics, this could mean the Heat are open to taking on longer-term contracts or accepting fewer assets in return. Notably, Miami has been reluctant to absorb contracts that extend beyond the 2025-26 season, as they’re eyeing significant cap space that offseason.
That said, the Heat still seem unwilling to take on Bradley Beal’s contract, which Windhorst described as “basically the most untradable in the league.” If the pool of potential trade partners expands, though, Miami might consider taking on salary from another team.
Warriors, 76ers, and Bucks Enter the Jimmy Butler Sweepstakes
With Butler’s price tag reportedly dropping, it’s no surprise that more teams are expressing interest in acquiring the former All-Star. According to Yahoo’s Kevin O’Connor, the Golden State Warriors are among the potential suitors, while Vincent Goodwill reports that the Philadelphia 76ers are also in the mix.
Starting with Philadelphia, a potential deal would likely center around Paul George. Butler has a history with the 76ers, having played alongside Joel Embiid during the 2018-19 season. However, George’s contract, which runs for three more years at max money, could be a sticking point. Miami is reportedly unwilling to take on long-term salary, making a direct trade difficult without a third team’s involvement.
Golden State faces a different challenge. Unlike the 76ers, the Warriors lack a single large contract to match Butler’s salary. They would need to package multiple players, such as Andrew Wiggins, Buddy Hield, Kyle Anderson, or Kevon Looney, which could create depth issues. A third team might be necessary to make the finances work, with draft picks or young talent like Jonathan Kuminga potentially serving as key pieces.
Other teams are also reportedly circling. Marc Stein has hinted that the Milwaukee Bucks could re-enter the conversation if they can find a way to move Pat Connaughton’s contract. Packaging Khris Middleton and Bobby Portis could give the Heat a playoff-ready duo to offset Butler’s absence.
As the Heat appear to be accelerating their efforts to move Butler, it’s clear that if the Suns can’t finalize a deal, another team will likely step in to get it done. The NBA trade deadline is shaping up to be as unpredictable as ever.