NBA Trade Rumors: Insider drops bombshell on Bradley Beal's feature as Suns enter Jimmy Butler sweepstakes

More characters and teams keep joining the Jimmy Butler saga. The star guard/forward has been issued a seven-game suspension for alleged multiple instances of conduct detrimental to the team, so it seems like his tenure in South Beach is all but over.

That's why the Phoenix Suns are keeping a close eye on the situation. According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, they're trying to find a path to move Bradley Beal to land Butler in return.

"(A trade is) possible, which is hard to believe with the Suns having the most trade restrictions and asset limitations in the modern era, but they're trying," Windhorst wrote in a story published Tuesday.

"They have not-so-secretly been looking to find a new home for Beal in a way that could also land them Jimmy Butler. A key thing to remember is Kevin Durant has one year on his contract following this season and bypassed signing a short extension last summer."

Of course, the Suns won't be alone in their pursuit of the defensive star. Even at his age (32), he's still one of the league's best two-way players, and we've seen what he's capable of in the playoffs.

As for Beal, the Miami Heat weren't interested in him two years ago, and with Tyler Herro going through a breakout season, they may not have changed their stance. So, they will most likely have to find a third team to take Beal, who would also have to waive his no-trade clause.

Jimmy Butler could still stay in Miami

Even so, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald believes there's still a path for Butler to finish the season under Erik Spoelstra's tutelage.

“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 Heat have been getting calls for Butler dating back to the offseason, and they haven't been blown away by any of the offers. If that doesn't change, he could end up staying until the end of the season.

Butler is going to become a free agent at the end of the season, meaning whoever gets him will most likely get him on a rental, thus diminishing his trade value.