Jimmy Butler’s time with the Miami Heat seems to be coming to an end. And Marc Stein is reporting that the Heat believe the only way he leaves is through a trade, as the franchise doesn’t expect the 35-year-old to leave in free agency. Even if he does choose to leave this summer, it will be by giving up his $52.6 million player option and working out a sign-and-trade with another team.

“Miami is extremely confident that Butler won’t be able to leave in free agency this summer — if he indeed goes through with bypassing his $52.4 million player option for next season — without the Heat’s help in a sign-and-trade.”

Jimmy Butler has been cutting an extremely frustrated figure with the Miami Heat this season. He has been playing phenomenal basketball this season, but the Heat’s roster is just not at the level to be able to compete for the NBA championship, with the Eastern Conference as competitive as it has ever been in years.

This season, Butler is averaging 18.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game while shooting 55.2% from the field, 35.7% from the three-point line, and 78.2% from the free-throw line. He has been crucial in the wins that the Heat have picked up this year, helping them to a 13-13 record in the East, good enough to earn them the sixth seed.

Butler has been linked away from the Heat via a trade this season. With him making $48.7 million this season and putting up strong numbers, he should be given a strong roster to try and compete. Even though Butler’s agent has denied the rumors, there is no smoke without fire. And he could be moved very quickly, as the trade deadline is just a little over a month away.

Phoenix Suns ‘Genuinely Interested’ In Butler

In the same report, Marc Stein noted that the Phoenix Suns are legitimately considering a move for Butler. Stein describes the Suns as having ‘genuine interest’ in Butler. But he did caveat the likelihood of a trade by stating that there is ‘”scant evidence Miami is willing to swap Butler for [Bradley] Beal without additional assets included.”

This shouldn’t come as a surprise. As for Butler’s interest in a move to the Suns, it should be noted that they were one of the top teams on his wishlist, along with the Warriors. Butler would like to try and compete for an NBA championship, and playing with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker is a great way to give yourself a strong chance to do so.

Of course, the big concern with any potential trade with the Suns is Bradley Beal. Beal makes $50 million this season, and has a no-trade clause in his contract. Beal would have to waive that clause in order for any move to take place. And even then, the Suns would have to attach some assets, which will be difficult as they don’t have many assets remaining.

The Suns will have to find a creative way to push a trade through for Jimmy Butler. However given the variables at play, this deal seems highly unlikely to push through.