ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins reports Durant wants the six-time NBA All-Star -- his former teammate on the 2016 USA Olympic gold-medal winning team -- in Phoenix, and that each would sign a contract extension with the Suns if a trade materializes.

Kendrick Perkins believes that the Suns are pursuing Jimmy Butler, so they can please and extend Kevin Durant.

The Phoenix Suns have emerged as one of the leading contenders to negotiate a trade for Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat. According to a former NBA player, Kevin Durant could play a pivotal role in making this blockbuster deal happen.

A day after Charles Barkley said the Phoenix Suns “stink,” ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith called them “soft” based on what the “NBA people” are saying as he put it. A team with Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal that went into the season with championship aspirations shouldn’t have a losing record and be 12 th in the West even with a number of injuries.

Charles Barkley called Bradley Beal rightfully petty, criticized Devin Booker's leadership and spoke more on the Suns' trade interest in Jimmy Butler.

This team built around Devin Booker and Kevin Durant has not worked. Will Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia spend on Jimmy Butler to find that out?

Chris Mannix of SI Now has gone further a report that has been circulated for nearly a month now - going to the point of removing the Golden State Warriors from the list of Butler's preferred destinations, and ultimately leaving Phoenix as the lone focus in terms of finding a new home.

Butler has officially asked out of Miami, and there is a rising favorite. Where could he land before the NBA trade deadline? See what the odds say.

The Suns would need to find a trade offer that suits the Heat and it is likely that Bradley Beal would have to leave Phoenix as part of any deal involving Butler. The issue is, Miami do not seem to be interested in the 31-year-old.

The Phoenix Suns have reportedly positioned themselves to make a significant move for Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler, with Kendrick Perkins claiming the team is ready to offer Butler a two-year, $121 million contract extension.

As he left the arena Thursday night, Beal didn’t sound like someone ready to give in. His role has changed. He has not.