Photo: Jimmy Butler Wears Suns Colorway Shoes for Heat vs. Blazers Amid Trade Rumors | News, results, highlights, stats and rumours

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MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 21: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on January 21, 2025 at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. NOTICE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and or using this photograph, User consents to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)

Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images

Jimmy Butler trade rumors continue to dominate NBA discussions leading up to the Feb. 6 deadline, and the Miami Heat swingman added another layer to those conversations on Tuesday.

That’s because he happened to wear shoes with Phoenix Suns colors to his team’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers:

Maybe it was just a coincidence, but Butler has consistently been linked to the Suns during said trade discussions.

“Jimmy’s No. 1 focus is primarily being traded to the Phoenix Suns. Everything else is secondary,” ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said at the 34:50 mark on Monday’s episode of his Hoop Collective podcast. “Not getting traded to ‘Team X,’ not getting traded to ‘Team Y,’ getting traded to the Phoenix Suns.

“And everything you’re going to bring is rational, if it doesn’t mean getting traded to the Suns, Jimmy’s not going to be interested in that right now. That’s one thing you have to remember out of all that. And that’s the way , he’s working on is that (ESPN’s Tim Bontemps) has also been saying for months is that Butler’s best move is to focus on playing, but it’s not until after the trade deadline. And then it’s one of those things , which the Heat have in mind.

Phoenix certainly turned heads Tuesday, too, when it traded its unprotected 2031 first-round pick to the Utah Jazz in exchange for 2025, 2027 and 2029 first-round picks, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

Shams Charania @ShamsCharania

This is an aggressive move for Phoenix and unlocks the franchise’s next six draft picks — and most importantly, splits their lone tradeable first in 2031 into three future firsts. The Suns have now tripled their first-rounders. https://t.co/kd8gmaegTi

Naturally, this led to speculation about Butler:

Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat

From here, when it comes to Butler (whose intended landing spot remains Phoenix), keep an eye on the Bucks and possibly the Raptors. https://t.co/WVtPvwG4FU

Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA

Hmmmm. Suns add some extra first-rounders? Wondering if they already have something loaded that they need them for. Things just got really interesting!

As for Butler himself, Charania reported Tuesday that he “tripled his trade request. He did it to Pat Riley’s face, and last week he did it to Micky Arison, the team’s owner and CEO. I’m told the Heat have had some productive conversations about a potential Butler trade this week.”

It looks like things could eventually build toward a potential trade involving the Suns.

If it does, at least Butler has the shoes for it.