It’s understandable that Beal was caught off-guard. He has been advertised as one leg of this big three in Phoenix since the moment he waived his no-trade clause about a year and a half ago to approve a trade out of Washington.

Recently, Stephen A. Smith took to ESPN to give a harsh criticism of Phoenix, as well as some friendly advice on why he thinks they should pursue Jimmy Butler via trade.

Chris Mannix of SI Now has gone further a report that has been circulated for nearly a month now - going to the point of removing the Golden State Warriors from the list of Butler's preferred destinations, and ultimately leaving Phoenix as the lone focus in terms of finding a new home.

Butler has seen his role diminish greatly this season. That has played a huge role as to why Jimmy Buckets is looking for a new place to play. There is some leverage working in Butler's favor here too.

“While the Miami Heat continues to listen to trade offers for six-time NBA All-Star Jimmy Butler, his Heat tenure isn’t officially over yet,” Chiang reported. “According to a source close to the situation, Butler will be expected to rejoin the Heat and play in games if he’s still on the roster at the end of his team-issued seven-game suspension.”

The Miami Heat's star forward, Jimmy Butler, is expected to be moved soon, but some teams have been informed not to trade for him.

The Miami Heat's path to a Jimmy Butler trade is complicated following the latest update on the willingness of teams to give him a lucrative extension.

The Phoenix Suns have been bandied about as a possible destination for Jimmy Butler, the disgruntled Heat star, but does a Bradley Beal package make sense for Miami?