The Phoenix Suns and Utah Jazz have agreed to a trade that will see the Suns exchange an unprotected 2031 first-round pick for three first-round picks from the Jazz, according to ESPN insider Shams Charania.
Even without the proper context, this is an interesting move, given that it’s a 3-for-1. Those types of trades don’t happen every day or every season. Indeed, it makes one wonder what prospects the Jazz hope to see six years from now. What middle school has a hooper that’s already captivated them.
As it relates to the Suns, it’s a bit more obvious what their intention is.
Suns-Jazz Trade Helps Jimmy Butler Move On… And More
With Phoenix long considered Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler‘s preferred landing spot, it’s been speculated that this transaction could be a step towards them adding the frustrated forward. However, it’s also possible that the Suns fly in Brooklyn Nets forward Cam Johnson as a consolation prize. The 3-and-D forward’s price is two first-round picks, per Brian Lewis of the New York Post.
The Phoenix Suns are trading their 2031 unprotected first to the Utah Jazz for three first-round picks, sources tell ESPN. The Suns are acquiring the least favorable firsts in 2025 of Cleveland/Minnesota, 2027 of Cleveland/Minnesota/Utah and 2029 of Cleveland/Minnesota/Utah.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 22, 2025
If they do manage to bring in Butler, multiple first-round picks could be split between the Heat and a third team. In fact, as the Heat desire cap space more than Bradley Beal, another team has to be enticed to take on his hefty contract. Of note, it’s been speculated that the Milwaukee Bucks might have interest in bringing on the 31-year-old.
As Phoenix has yet to approach Beal about waiving his no-trade clause though, maybe they want to keep him. Given how Suns owner Mat Ishbia tends to think big, it’s a legitimate possibility. A Big 4 that includes Butler sounds better than a Big 3 that includes him anyhow. With that in mind, if they were to trade every player except Beal, Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, Oso Ighodaro, Mason Plumlee, Nick Richards, Tyus Jones, and Ryan Dunn –who are already the top players in their rotation –they’d have combined enough salary to make the deal.
Their first-round picks would help facilitate the transaction, as other teams would have to get involved. In fact, because they’re over the second apron, they almost have to. In convincing a team to pull the trigger on a Jusuf Nurkic acquisition, a first-round pick would sweeten the deal. That might also be the case for Grayson Allen, especially given how injury-prone he’s been this season.
