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Suns Make Bradley Beal Decision After Jimmy Butler News

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Andrew McCarty | Last updated Feb 4, 2025 9:19 PM ET

Earlier this morning, ESPN's Brian Windhorst shared the latest on the Jimmy Butler saga, revealing his only intention is landing in Phoenix with the Suns.

"The thing to understand about Jimmy, there's nothing that he wants to hear right now that doesn't include getting him to the Sun, that is the only thing he's focused on," Windhorst said this morning.

"Honestly, I don't think you could offer him any amount of money or any role on any role and hear that he's like, 'Yep, I'll get on the plane, let's go.' And because he's got an opt out in his contract, he has some measure of control."

The Suns initially bandied Bradley Beal as a potential trade chip for Butler, but there was a major snag in those discussions. Beal is one of the few players with a no-trade clause in his contract, meaning he'd have to waive the clause in order to be traded.

Earlier this week reports highlighted the slim chance Beal opts to waive the clause as part of a package deal for Butler. Another report on Tuesday night from the Athletic furthered that notion, revealing the Suns are not currently in talks with Beal to waive the no-trade clause.

"A league source close to Beal reiterated on Tuesday that there are currently no talks about him waiving the clause, and that he expects to remain in Phoenix through the deadline," the report noted.

The Athletic then floated Kevin Durant as a potential trade chip in exchange for Butler instead.

"Enter Durant, who could provide an alternate pathway to landing Butler. With Butler continuing to angle his way toward the Suns, Phoenix might need to move Durant for the kind of returns that allows it to enhance its offer to Miami," the report said. "As of now, league sources say the Suns’ messaging about their willingness to trade Durant is different depending on the team."

The NBA's trade deadline is set for Thursday at 3 p.m. EST.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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