The Phoenix Suns reportedly want to end their partnership with guard Bradley Beal before the 2025 trade deadline. Mark Stein stated on January 12 that Phoenix was looking to acquire Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat. Unfortunately, the Miami Heat are interested in Bradley Beal’s contract, meaning that Phoenix would have to find a third team that would take on his contract.
Phoenix Suns’ offense
However, the Suns’ interest in Jimmy Butler is confusing because he would be a bad fit for both their offense and defensive system. Phoenix is currently running a ball movement offense, averaging 307.2 passes per game, fourth in the league.
The Suns’ system requires their players to spend a lot of time standing behind the three-point line as floor spacers. For example, Tyus Jones grabbed a rebound with eleven minutes to go in the first quarter against the Detroit Pistons on January 18. Jones dribbled the ball until he approached half-court and made a cross-court pass to Devin Booker.
Booker proceeded to dribble the ball until the three-point line. Once he reached the three-point line, he passed the ball to Kevin Durant, who was standing on the right wing.
Durant drove to the baseline before stopping because he was surrounded by Cade Cunningham and Tobias Harris. Consequently, he made a pass to Ryan Dunn, who was standing in the left corner. Dunn ended the possession by making a three-pointer.
As the offensive position unfolded, Dunn and Booker spent most of the possession standing behind the three-point line as floor spaces. Therefore, unless the Phoenix Suns make radical changes to their offensive system midway through the season, Jimmy Butler is a bad fit.
Throughout his career, Butler has been a below-average three-point shooter, converting 33% of his attempts on 2.4 shots per game. Butler’s three-point percentage is significantly below Bradley Beal’s career 37.5% shooter from behind the arc on 7.5 attempts per game.
Bradley Beal’s shooting ability has helped Phoenix perform well offensively when he is on the court. Phoenix is averaging 75.6 points, shooting 48% from the field on 57.2 attempts per game.
Bradley Beal’s defense
Phoenix’s primary issue with Beal comes on the defensive end of the floor. Bradley has a tendency to stand around on defensive possessions, providing minimal effort. Beal was standing near the right elbow early in the first quarter against the Indiana Pacers.
He initially thought about defending Andrew Nembhard but a few seconds later switched to Bennedict Mathurin. He did not guard him for an extensive amount of time as Bradley switched back to Nembhard. Bradley lazily chased Andrew around screens for the rest of the possession until Nembhard made a mid-range jumper.
Beal’s lack of effort on the defensive end has led opponents to average 80.5 points, shooting 47.5% on 61.2 shots per game when he is on the floor this season. Unfortunately, Jimmy Butler’s mentality makes him unlikely to improve the Phoenix on defense.
He constantly strays away from his defensive assignment in search of a steal. Butler was guarding Klay Thompson with eight minutes to go in the first quarter of a Miami Heat home game versus the Dallas Mavericks.
During this possession, Quinton Grimes had the ball on the right wing. He took a couple of steps towards the basket, reading Jimmy to leave Thompson open and swipe at the ball as he tried to cause a turnover. Consequently, the Miami Heat have struggled defensively with him on the court. During his tenure with the team, opponents have shot 46.8% from the field on 58 attempts per game.
Therefore, Jimmy Butler would not be an upgrade over Bradley Beal for the Phoenix Suns.
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