The NBA trade deadline draws closer by the day, and as always, the transaction cycle remains headlined by the same small group of players. On Monday, the Miami Heat suspended Jimmy Butler indefinitely after he walked out of a shootaround upon receiving the news that he would be benched.

Bradley Beal’s name has been in NBA trade rumors for almost the entire season as the Phoenix Suns have slipped down the Western Conference standings. There’s a catch: Beal is one of two players in the league with a no-trade clause, which he negotiated as part of his max contract with the Washington Wizards back in 2022. LeBron James is the other.

Beal has what is widely described as the "worst" contract in the NBA - particularly due to the no-trade clause in the deal, but it feels like the fact that discussions are even being held should be encouraging to Suns fans that desire for the Butler deal to come to fruition.

NBA Trade Deadline around the corner, many teams are now setting up to make significant moves to improve their rosters. One key player who is expected to be traded before the deadline is none other than disgruntled Miami Heat superstar Jimmy Butler.

The Bulls right now are absolutely involved in conversations with the Suns involving the possible Jimmy Butler trade situation. It’s not that Jimmy Butler would end in Chicago,

The Phoenix Suns and Chicago Bulls had ground-level talks about a Bradley Beal trade, reports ESPN's Brian Windhorst.

Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal will not waive his no-trade clause to go to the Chicago Bulls, a source familiar with the three-time All-Star’s thinking told The Athletic.Source: New York Times

During the Hoop Collective discussion, Windhorst’s ESPN colleague Tim Bontemps also questioned why the Bulls would be motivated to swap out LaVine for Beal, given the limited draft assets the Suns could offer as sweeteners and the All-Star caliber season LaVine is having so far this year (24.0 PPG on .512/.444/.792 shooting).

Desperate to trade Jimmy Butler, the Miami Heat's asking price is dropping. The Phoenix Suns might have more competition for Butler's services.

Finch was having what appeared to be a peaceful conversation with game official CJ Washington who prepared to hand the ball to Suns guard Bradley Beal to inbound. On a dime, Washington blew his whistle to assess Finch a technical foul, his second of the night after he picked up the first during the first quarter.

Butler was informed at shootaround that he would come off the bench behind Haywood Highsmith in this game, which prompted Butler to walk out of shootaround. From there, the Heat suspended Butler “indefinitely,” a story broken by Shams Charania of The Athletic and since confirmed by the team.