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MILWAUKEE, WI (WSAU) – The Milwaukee Bucks’ chances of landing Jimmy Butler aren’t over despite previous reports that he only wanted to be traded to the Phoenix Suns.
According to the Athletic’s Sam Amick, the Bucks haven’t been told by Jimmy Butler’s representatives that the Miami Heat star doesn’t want to play there. This refutes an earlier report from NBA insider Chris Haynes that stated the Bucks were on the list of teams that Butler “has no interest in being traded to.”
ESPN reported Tuesday that Butler reiterated his trade request to Heat president Pat Riley last week during a face-to-face meeting. The Heat suspended Butler on Jan. 3, partly saying, “Through his actions and statements, he has shown he no longer wants to be part of this team.”
Butler, who is making $48.8 million this season, is eligible for free agency after the season and has informed Miami officials that he will not sign a new contract with the team. The six-time All-Star has a $52.4 million player option for next season but is unlikely to exercise it unless it helps a deal go through.
Both the Suns and Bucks are suffering from similar cap space dilemmas, as Milwaukee would’ve needed to unload a few contracts, such as Bobby Portis’s and Pat Connaughton’s, to afford Butler’s contract, while Phoenix would need to convince recently benched and former All-Star guard Bradley Beal to waive his no-trade clause to make the deal work on their end. Beal, whose deal is worth upwards of $50 million a year, has been critical of the rumors stating that he “holds the cards” in a possible trade instead of the team.
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