The Phoenix Suns made a trade on Tuesday, but it wasn't the one we were expecting. In a deal with the Utah Jazz, the Suns sent out their unprotected 2031 first-round pick in exchange for three lesser first-round picks: the least favorable between Minnesota's and Cleveland's in 2025,

A Jimmy Butler trade is complicated for the Suns and Heat. That is why the Bucks could finish the deal with Khris Middleton and Bradley Beal.

Now, some insiders believe a recent NBA trade could lead the Bucks to discuss a trade for a pair of All-Stars. On Tuesday, the Phoenix Suns traded a 2031 first-round pick in exchange for three first-round picks. The widespread belief is that the Suns are aiming to package those three picks in a bigger trade for Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler.

The Suns want Jimmy Butler. Jimmy Butler wants to be on the Suns. But making that happen is a long process that features a lot of variables.

Yesterday, the Suns dealt away their only tradeable future first-round pick in 2031 to the Utah Jazz in exchange for the least favorable first in 2025 of Cleveland and Minnesota; the least favorable first of Cleveland, Minnesota and Utah in 2027; and the least favorable first of Cleveland, Minnesota and Utah in 2029.

With Middleton in a diminished role coming off the bench as he nurses tendinitis, an acquisition of a star talent like LaVine would significantly reinforce the Bucks' relatively mediocre offense. Also, a prime 29-year old LaVine's future availability is far more certain than 33-year old Middleton.

After the Suns made a trade on Tuesday to turn their unprotected 2031 first-round pick into three separate first-rounders in

The Suns acquired Beal from the Wizards in the summer of 2023 in a deal that sent Chris Paul to the Wizards. The three-time All-Star left Washington second on the franchise’s all-time scoring list with 15,391 points in 11 seasons, just 160 points behind Elvin Hayes.

The trade would send Khris Middleton, Bobby Portis, MarJon Beauchamp, and a 2031 first-round pick (via Phoenix) to Miami and Jimmy Butler and Delon Wright to Phoenix. Butler has been linked to the Bucks as a possible trade candidate, though there's confusion about his desire to join the franchise.

The Milwaukee Bucks, fresh off securing Damian Lillard in a blockbuster trade at the start of the season, could be eyeing another high-profile move this season—

PHOENIX -- In a season that has been riddled with inconsistencies, frustration, and a general lack of cohesiveness within the context of the Phoenix Suns roster - one thing is for sure. The Suns have to make a bold move.