The Phoenix Suns have made another significant trade, as reported by Shams. They have completed a 1-for-3 trade with the Utah Jazz, sending their unprotected first-round pick in 2031 to the Jazz in exchange for first-round picks in 2025, 2027, and 2029. However, it is important to note that these three returned first-round picks are the lowest among the Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Utah Jazz.
This move is clearly aimed at increasing the Suns' trading assets, as this trade triples the number of first-round picks they can use in trades, with the clear target being Jimmy Butler.
A Heat journalist has stated that this trade marks the first step for the Suns in completing the Butler trade, involving multiple draft picks packaged together to acquire Butler, and this is expected to be at least a four-team mega-trade.
According to Shams, the Heat have engaged in some effective discussions regarding potential Butler trades this week:
"The current situation is that Jimmy Butler has applied for a trade for the third time. Earlier this month, he expressed his intentions to Pat Riley face-to-face, and last week, he also conveyed his thoughts to team owner Micky Arison and CEO Nick Arison.
"I've been told that the Heat have had some productive discussions about potential Butler trades this week. However, this is a substantial contract, with a salary of 49millionthisseasonandaplayeroptionof52 million next season."
"The final trade plan could involve two parties, or possibly three or four parties. But at the same time, Butler has returned to the court, and he just wants everyone to know what's happening."
The second step to complete the Butler trade is to convince Bradley Beal to waive his trade veto power and find a team willing to accept Beal, which is also making progress.
According to a report by Marc Stein yesterday, after being informed that Butler is not interested in joining them, the Bucks have shifted their focus to Beal and are interested in trading for him. In the summer of 2023, the Bucks were one of the teams pursuing Beal.
The Bucks' current reality is that their core lineup is seriously aging, with Middleton, Lopez, and Connaughton experiencing significant declines in form, all becoming negative assets for the team. Therefore, their options are limited, and in comparison, Beal's condition is obviously much better than Middleton's.
According to a report by Suns beat writer John Gambadoro, Beal is also open to playing for the Bucks and is willing to waive his trade veto power for them.
So, through today's two major news stories, we can anticipate the beginning of a big trade, with the likely outcome being Butler going to the Suns and Beal going to the Bucks, although it will still involve multiple-party transactions.
Regarding the follow-up and speculation on this big trade, we can look forward to it. Personally, I believe there is a good chance the trade will ultimately be completed, and it must be said that the new owner of the Suns is truly bold and determined.
However, it is necessary to consider whether, even if the Suns acquire Butler and the Bucks acquire Beal, they can bring their teams back into contention for the championship? Personally, I think the difficulty is quite high.
The Suns are facing an aging roster, with Durant and Butler both over 35 years old, and their actual influence on the game is declining. Their physical endurance may struggle to sustain high-level output throughout the season. Moreover, this team still lacks depth in the frontcourt and playmakers, with the isolation play mode being just a change of soup but not medicine.
The Bucks, on the other hand, have an inconsistent lineup. The backcourt combination of Booker and Beal has already been tested, and switching to Lillard + Beal would similarly result in overlapping offensive roles and poor defense, still making it difficult to achieve significant breakthroughs.
Looking at the current league landscape, the top contenders for the championship this season are gradually becoming clear, with young teams like the Celtics, Thunder, and Cavaliers rising, a trend that cannot be stopped. No matter how veteran stars group together, they inevitably fall into the vortex of decline.
Of course, for the Suns and Bucks, rather than holding onto these garbage contracts and muddling through, it might not be a bad idea to take a gamble.