Shams Charania drops major update on Jimmy Butler's trade scenario amid Heat's efforts to ship 6x NBA All-Star

The one thing that's dominated the NBA's trade market news is the Jimmy Butler-Miami Heat drama. After spending the last five years of his career in Miami, a disgruntled Butler is ready to move on. However, there hasn't been any concrete development on where he might be traded.

While Butler's situation has the trade market in a chokehold, it appears the six-time All-Star himself is getting impatient. His desire to move on is already well-known after he requested a trade directly with team president Pat Riley. Now, he has spoken to someone higher than Riley, according to insider Shams Charania.

Charania said on "NBA Today" that Butler has taken his request to be traded to the very top of the Heat organization.

"Here's where it's at, Jimmy Butler has tripled down on his trade request," Charania said. "Earlier this month he did it to Pat Riley's face and then last week he did it to Micky Arison—the team owner, and Nick Arison—the CEO."

Jimmy Butler is owed $48,798,677 this season, according to Sportrac. If he picks up the player option on his contract for the 2025-26 campaign, then he is owed an additional $52 million. The size of his contract is part of the reason why trading him isn't easy.

However, there have been some teams who have expressed interest. Teams like the Golden State Warriors and the Milwaukee Bucks were briefly linked to Butler. But the team that appears to be the frontrunner in landing him would be the Phoenix Suns.

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NBA insider says that Jimmy Butler's number one preference is the Phoenix Suns

The February 6 trade deadline is fast approaching and if Jimmy Butler were to have his way, he'd be in a Phoenix Suns jersey before then. At least, that's what NBA insider Brian Windhorst said on Sunday's edition of "The Hoop Collective."

According to Windhorst, Phoenix is the top destination in Butler's mind.

"Jimmy's number one focus is getting traded preferably to the Phoenix Suns. Everything else is secondary," Windhorst said. "Not getting traded to team X, not getting traded to team Y, getting traded to the Phoenix Suns. So anything that you want to bring that's rational, if it doesn't mean getting traded to the Suns, Jimmy is not gonna be interested right now." (36:05-36:33)

Perhaps the biggest obstacle in a trade between the Heat and the Suns is Bradley Beal's no-trade clause. Additionally, there are salary matters to consider so a trade that will send Butler to the Suns likely needs to include several other teams.

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How has Jimmy Butler performed post-suspension?

Jimmy Butler did not play from January 4 to January 15 as he was serving a seven-game suspension. The reason he was suspended was stated as displaying conduct that is detrimental to the Heat organization. In that period, Miami went 3-4.

He has since come back and played two games. In his first game back on Friday against the Denver Nuggets, he put up 18 points, grabbed three rebounds and dished two assists. The Heat ended up losing the game, 133-113, despite his contribution.

His second game back was on Sunday against the San Antonio Spurs. In terms of scoring, he had a quieter game than the one against Denver, scoring only eight points. He also registered three boards, seven assists and two blocks. Miami beat the Spurs, 128-107.