NBA Intel: Jimmy Butler, Bradley Beal, Jusuf Nurkic trade talks; Pistons, Raptors, Nuggets, Clippers, Knicks

With less than 10 days until the NBA trade deadline, HoopsHype has gathered the latest intel on Bradley Beal’s future involving Jimmy Butler trade talks, a Jusuf Nurkic update, notes on several Raptors drawing trade interest, potential moves for the Clippers, and interviews with Pistons sharpshooter Malik Beasley and Suns guard Tyus Jones.

Bradley Beal’s future with the Suns and a Jusuf Nurkic update

The worst-kept secret in the NBA has been the mutual interest between Jimmy Butler and the Phoenix Suns. However, Suns guard Bradley Beal holds the keys to any potential trade thanks to his no-trade clause and salary needing to be included in any framework.

While the rumor mill has previously linked Beal to teams such as the Milwaukee Bucks and Chicago Bulls in potential blockbuster scenarios with Butler landing in Phoenix, all evidence suggests Beal is comfortable staying in Phoenix, where he's accepted his recent bench role in a professional manner despite being an All-Star three times and averaging over 30 points twice during his 11 seasons with the Washington Wizards.

As Phoenix continues to try and scour the market to acquire Butler, the Suns also gave themselves more optionality by trading away their unprotected 2031 first-round pick to the Utah Jazz for three first-round picks in 2025, 2027, and 2029. Those picks are the least favorable first-round picks via Cleveland, Minnesota, or Utah each year. All of the picks acquired could be used to help potentially acquire Butler.

The Suns are also exploring pairing one of the newly acquired first-round picks with Jusuf Nurkic to acquire a starting-caliber or high-level rotation player on the trade market, league sources told HoopsHype.

Nurkic is owed $18.13 million and has averaged 8.6 points and 9.2 rebounds in 23.7 minutes this season.

Despite acquiring center Nick Richards, Phoenix doesn’t view Nurkic as a salary dump since he will have more value on the trade market this summer when he becomes an expiring contract worth $19.38 million for the 2025-26 season, sources said.

Whether the Suns can acquire Butler, trade Beal, and trade Nurkic remains to be seen, but what’s certain is the organization remains all-in on trying to make this team as competitive as possible with an eye towards the playoffs.

Several Raptors drawing trade interest

With the Toronto Raptors at the bottom of the standings and a projected seller by the trade deadline, executives around the league are keeping tabs on Bruce Brown and Chris Boucher, who are in the final year of their contracts, and stretch-five Kelly Olynyk.

Brown is a candidate to be involved in a potential blockbuster multi-team trade involving Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler due to his expiring $23 million contract, with Toronto actively trying to participate as a facilitator.

Other playoff-caliber teams hope Brown will hit the buyout market instead if Toronto can’t trade Brown before the deadline.

The Denver Nuggets, for example, have monitored Brown’s availability from afar ever since he helped the Nuggets win the 2023 championship and departed in free agency.

The Nuggets, along with the Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks, and other teams, have also expressed trade interest in Boucher, league sources told HoopsHype.

The 32-year-old forward is in the final year of his contract worth $10.8 million and has averaged 10.7 points in only 17.5 minutes while shooting 37 percent from 3-point range.

Furthermore, some playoff-caliber teams looking to fortify their frontcourt depth have circled the wagon on Toronto to see if the Raptors would be willing to part with Olynyk, who’s owed $13.45 million for the 2025-26 season.

After missing the first 23 games of the season, Olynyk has returned in a reserve role, shooting a career-high 48.6 percent from beyond the arc for Toronto.

Potential moves for the Clippers

Despite some predicting the Los Angeles Clippers would take a step back this season with Kawhi Leonard out for a significant portion, they’re 26-20 thanks to career seasons from Norman Powell and Ivica Zubac. At the same time, James Harden has remained a high-level player at 35.

While the Clippers aren’t expected to make a big splash at the trade deadline, they could make some noteworthy moves.

The Clippers approach the trade deadline $2.47 million above the luxury tax threshold and are looking to get below it, league sources told HoopsHype.

Clippers forward PJ Tucker and guard Bones Hyland remain available on the trade market, sources said.

Tucker, who’s owed $11.54 million in the final year of his contract, has not been with the team this season. Hyland, who’s had a sporadic role this season, is on the books for $4.16 million and is eligible for restricted free agency this summer while still only 24 years old.

Ideally, the Clippers would like to upgrade the roster on the margins by adding a backup big man while ducking the tax, HoopsHype has learned.

Should the Clippers create an open roster spot via trade, two-way swingman Jordan Miller remains the top conversion candidate, as previously reported by HoopsHype.

Looking ahead, the Clippers want to also maintain cap space for the summer of 2026 with any potential future transactions.

Malik Beasley interview

Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley has been one of the league’s shooters this season, ranking second overall with 171 total 3-pointers made.

In the process, Beasley has helped the Pistons defy expectations with a 23-23 record and remain in the mix for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Following practice, Beasley spoke with HoopsHype for an extended interview to discuss why he chose Detroit in free agency, his impact on and off the court, Cade Cunningham’s “All-Star” season in his words, J.B. Bickerstaff behind the scenes, his chances of participating in the 3-point Contest at NBA All-Star Weekend, his free agency future, and more.

What made you choose Detroit in free agency? 

Malik Beasley: I chose Detroit because I wanted to go through the grit and grind and show that I could be a veteran and a leader. I think with the last couple of teams, as I’ve bounced around the league, I haven’t really been able to show leadership being on a team with LeBron and different guys. Here, I’m able to bring my playoff experience and everything I’ve been through in my life. I feel like I can bring different aspects to this team. Also, my family is from here, so it’s like a second home. Plus, my first year in the East was with Milwaukee last year, and I wanted to stay in the East one more year to see how it went.

How do you feel you’ve been able to impact the Pistons on and off the court? 

MB: By showing my leadership in terms of hard work. For example, I’m the first one to the gym in practice. I feel like I’ve won a few games with some clutch threes. I’ve been using my experience the best I can and making shots at the end of games.

This team has made a drastic turnaround compared to last season. Why do you think that’s happened?

MB: Leadership with the veterans that came in. We’ve all had playoff experience and have been in the spotlight. We’re here to help this team come together as a whole. I think that’s what really changed it. If you looked at their games last year, they weren’t losing by 30 every game. They were close in every game. I feel like Cade (Cunningham) needed some shooters around him and veterans to help space the floor. I feel like we’re doing a great job of doing that.

What are your thoughts on Cade Cunningham’s growth this season?  

MB: Cade is definitely an All-Star. We should be waiting for that news soon. He’s been doing this, but he’s probably getting recognition because we’re getting some wins. It tends to be that way. We’ve just got to keep rolling in the right direction.

What’s it been like playing for J.B. Bickerstaff, and how has he impacted the team? 

MB: He’s impacted the Pistons in multiple ways. He’s teaching us what grit and grind really means and trusting the process. He doesn’t care about the results as long as the process is the right way. That’s how life is. We’ve bought into him and trust him. He trusts us, too. He’s been an extremely good coach in his first year with us, and we’ve all gotten on board together. The chemistry is unmatched.

How has Bickerstaff unlocked you, and what’s your relationship with him? 

MB: He’s helped me a lot. He draws plays up if I have it going. Even on nights when I’m not shooting, he’ll still draw up a play, or he’ll tell me, “We trust you” every single time, and so do my teammates. That’s a confidence thing. Also, coach Bickerstaff sees the work I put in. When they come from the hotel, they already see me at the gym in a full sweat, and they know I put in the work. I think that gives him trust as well.

What goals do you have for the rest of the season? 

MB: Hopefully, I get into the 3-point contest. I think the decisions have already been made. Other than that, my main goal is to get to the playoffs. I feel like to be able to come from a championship-caliber team and coming to this team and making it to the playoffs would be huge. I think that, individually, that will make me better. I want us to make the playoffs, get a couple of wins, and continue to go in the right direction. The vibes are amazing.

Did you get an invite to the three-point contest?

MB: They asked me if I’d do it three weeks ago, and I said yes, but we’re just waiting to see. All the All-Stars have to pick. They get the first dibs. Once the All-Stars decide, they’ll let me know if I get in.

Do you guys talk about the playoffs in the locker room?

MB: Of course. We’re talking about it now. With our schedule coming up, these are all playoff-caliber games. Every day, we talk about that. It’s not like, “Oh, we have a chance.” No. At this point, we’re trying to figure out where we can get better as a team to prepare for those games.

How’s it been living in Detroit as a family? 

MB: It’s been amazing. I have my cousins and family. I get home-cooked meals. It’s pretty dope having them there.

After this season, you’ll be a free agent. What have you thought of that, and where does a possible return to Detroit fit in that equation? 

MB: It fits huge. Me and Trajan (Langdon) have been talking a lot. We’re trying to figure out what’s going to happen. I still have to get through this trade deadline. There are some championship teams that want me, but I told Trajan I like where I’m at. He told me about the impact I’ve brought. Hopefully, he agrees. He also told me it’s a business. If a championship team comes with a crazy deal, the business is the business. We’re just waiting for the deadline to go through. After that, I think we’ll start talking about if maybe we can put something together.

Is there anything else you think is worth shedding some light on? 

MB: I want people to know Detroit basketball is back. We’re all here together, working hard. I think all our journeys were put together for a reason, and we’re putting it together.

Tyus Jones interview

After spending four seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies, regarded as one of the best backups in the league behind Ja Morant, and last season as a starter for the Washington Wizards, Tyus Jones took less money in free agency to be a starting point guard for the Phoenix Suns.

At the halfway point of the season, Jones discussed if his experience so far has been what he thought it would be, the constant Jimmy Butler rumors, his free agency future, and more with HoopsHype.

Has joining the Suns been what you thought it would be in free agency when you took less money to come here? 

Tyus Jones: At the start of the year, we started hot. I think that was what I was envisioning and what everyone was envisioning. It’s been some ups and downs since then, but that’s also a part of the season. It wasn’t going to be all highs all year. We’ve got a good group learning a lot and continuing to figure out how to play off of each other. I feel like I’m learning a lot and continuing to expand my game by playing different roles, playing a little bit more off the ball, more in the corners, and setting more screens. I’m expanding my viewpoint of the game. I’m getting to do a little bit more by being in a different role. Ultimately, that makes me a better basketball player. I’m looking at it from that point of view. It’s been good. I’m still extremely confident in what we’re trying to do. We’ve got great guys in this locker room, and we’re all confident in one another. It’s been great. I’ve been happy with the decision. I’m looking forward to us continuing to improve and seeing what we do in the second half of the year.

What can Nick Richards bring to this team? 

TJ: A paint presence. His physicality, rebounding, and shot-blocking. He’s altering shots even if he’s not blocking them.

When you look at the team at the halfway point, where do you feel like you guys are? 

TJ: I feel like we haven’t played our best basketball consistently. I feel like we’re still a work in progress. I think everyone’s confident in each other in this room that our best ball is in front of us, and we’ll continue to improve and get better. I think everyone’s in a good head space in this locker room and extremely confident in themselves and one another. We’re going to continue to put our best foot forward. We knew the season wasn’t going to be all highs. There probably have been a few more lows than we would like. At the same time, that comes with it, and it’ll ultimately make us a better team.

Halfway through the season, what have you thought about your long-term future? 

TJ: I’ve tried not to and tried to stay in the moment. I’ve done that with the Wizards and even back to my time in Memphis while playing in a contract year. I’ve found more success when I stay in the now by being where my feet are and letting everything else take care of itself when the time comes. I’m enjoying my time here. They're taking great care of me and my family, who love it. I’ve got two little ones, and they’re enjoying the nice weather. I’ve got a four-year-old boy and about to be a two-year-old girl. It keeps everything in perspective for me and helps me stay present. I’m enjoying my time here and looking forward to the second half of the year.

There are a million rumors about Jimmy Butler, and you guys just traded for more first-round draft picks, so what do you make of all of that? 

TJ: I’ve been in the league a while now. I’ve experienced trade rumors and different situations like that. I think it’s about controlling what we can control. The front office is going to do what they’re going to do. We’re not too worried about it. It’s out of our hands. We’re trying to show up every day and improve as a team.

You can follow Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) on X, formerly known as Twitter. 

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: NBA Intel: Jimmy Butler, Bradley Beal, Jusuf Nurkic trade talks; Pistons, Raptors, Nuggets, Clippers, Knicks