Is Jimmy Butler playing tonight against the Phoenix Suns? Exploring Heat superstar's status   

Jimmy Butler is expected to suit up for the Miami Heat when they host the Phoenix Suns at the Kaseya Center on Saturday. The All-Star comes off a 17-point outing in their decimation of the LA Lakers earlier this week. Both Butler and the Heat hope that the side can continue to build on the momentum after their comprehensive win against LeBron James and co.

On the availability front, Butler is listed as probable as the forward continues to deal with left ankle soreness. The 35-year-old has already missed a few games this season dealing with injuries and his presence on the floor will boost the Heat as they take on a Kevin Durant-less Phoenix side.

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Jimmy Butler trade rumor: Dallas Mavericks join Houston Rockets as interested parties for Heat star

If the Miami Heat indeed put their aging superstar on the trade block, Jimmy Butler will have no shortage of teams looking to avail his services. After being linked to the Golden State Warriors earlier, he was later looked as a potential suitor for the Houston Rockets and the Dallas Mavericks. Per HoopsHype's Michael Scotto, Butler's name did the rounds in the West with "league circles" looking at Houston and Dallas.

Eastern Conference teams Brooklyn Nets were one of the teams that had Butler on their radar, but reports that followed later said that the Nets were not looked at as a fit with the focus on developing young players. Butler can be an unrestricted free agent next season if he snubs his $52.4 million player option for the 2025-26 season. This June, NBA insider Shams Charania said that Jimmy Butler has no plans on inking an extension with the Heat or any other franchise before the opt-out time.

The Heat mainstay has played 15 games this season averaging 18.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists. He's shooting 54.8 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from three-point land.