“Kevin Durant wants Jimmy Butler!” Kendrick Perkins made a bold claim about the Suns willing to sign Butler on a two-year $121 million deal because of his friendship with the Slim Reaper. Well, Jimmy has been linked to the franchise for quite some time, and now that he has demanded a trade from Miami, Phoenix could very well be his next home. The Suns are struggling as they’re stuck at the 12th spot in the West standings. But even though they look in desperate need of making a trade, Mike Budenholzer seems to have his thought process and faith in complete order, to turn things around.

When asked if the team needs to make changes, Mike said, “I mean, there’s a lot of faith in the group. You know we’ve had good stretches not just within a game, but for stretches of a season or multiple games. And we’re in a rough spot like you said. So, I think there’s a lot of faith in the group. We gotta keep working, we gotta keep pushing. Find our ways to put our best foot forward. So, a lot of faith in the group.”

Hoping to turn things around, the head coach even started the new year with a bold decision to remove Bradley Beal and Jusuf Nurkic from the starting lineup and make them come off the bench instead. Unfortunately, the strategy has not paid off so far as the Suns have lost one out of the two games with the new lineup. Moreover, the move took Beal by surprise, adding fuel to his trade buzz.

Even if Big Perk’s report is correct, it will only happen if Beal agrees to waive his no-trade clause and Pat Riley agrees to a Butler-Beal exchange. As per the C’s legend, the Suns’ offer to Jimmy Butler would also motivate Kevin Durant to sign an extension and solidify his future in Phoenix. Of course, the two stars have teamed up in the past for Team USA and even won Gold in the Rio Olympics. Although Butler and KD joining forces would be a massive Suns upgrade, the move could leave Devin Booker’s future in jeopardy.

Mike Budenholzer responds to Devin Booker’s “communication” problem amid uncertain future and Kevin Durant link

Obviously, offering Jimmy Butler $121 million would put the Suns in a bit of a financial pickle. And that could impact Booker’s future with the team. Perkins questioned, “Now, what happens with Devin Booker in the near future? I don’t know. But at the end of the day, this would make sense.”

Well, D-Book’s numbers have dropped significantly this season to 24.6 points, and the player also highlighted the lack of communication in the team after the loss to the Hornets. “You can’t have that. You know the vibes and the communication being high when we have it rolling and things going well, and then when we get in a tough spot, it just kind of folds.”

If the struggles continue, Mat Ishbia could seek trade offers for Booker. Or maybe, the superstar demands a trade himself. But that’s unlikely to happen anytime soon. Right now, Kevin Durant and the Suns’ primary focus is on turning things around and getting back in the playoff picture. And Budenholzer had an instant solution for Booker’s communication issue within the ranks.

Coach Mike said, “Probably the first thing is just talking about it. I think when things are hard when there is adversity, you’ve got to kind of pull together. That’s the challenge in life. I think all of us can be better probably at that. So, talking about it, being aware…”

Hopefully, this advice will help them find their groove and prove Mike Budenholzer right before the Phoenix Suns pull off a blockbuster trade to acquire Jimmy Butler.