According to Duane Rankin of the Miami Heat, negotiations are currently underway regarding a trade between the Miami Heat and the Phoenix Suns involving Jimmy Butler and Bradley Beal Republic of Arizona.

“As for Bradley Beal, sources have told The Republic that there are still discussions about a deal with the Miami Heat involving Jimmy Butler,” Rankin wrote Tuesday.

ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on December 17 that the Suns were one of the teams that would be at the top of Butler’s list of preferred destinations if the Heat were to trade him before the February 6 deadline.

Butler has a $48.8 million cap hit this year as well as a $52.4 million player option for the 2025-26 season, meaning he could potentially leave Miami in the 2025 offseason.

Beal will receive a salary of $50.2 million for the 2024-25 season, allowing Phoenix to use his deal to match salaries with Butler if he wishes to waive his no-trade clause. However, an agreement between the two sides may not be so easy.

NBA insider Marc Stein reported Sunday that there is “little evidence circulating to suggest” Miami would be willing to trade Butler for Beal, as the veteran shooting guard has struggled to stay healthy in Phoenix.

Beal averaged just 18.3 points per game in two seasons with the Suns after averaging 27.6 points per game in his final four years with the Washington Wizards. He is scheduled to make $53.7 million for the 2025-26 season and has a player option worth $57.1 million for his 2026-27 season.

Phoenix may need to bring additional resources into talks with Miami, as a potential trio of Butler, Devin Booker and Kevin Durant should help the team improve on its current record of 14-14.

While there are still hurdles to overcome in negotiations, the Suns and Heat are reportedly continuing to discuss the scope of a deal that would send Miami’s six-time All-Star to Phoenix.