Could Jimmy Butler in the Phoenix Suns be a dynasty in the making? As the February 6 trade deadline approaches, the speculations around Butler’s next possible destination are high. The three suspensions from the Miami Heat have made it clear that reconciliation is not in the pages. Amid all of this, the Suns have emerged as the highly anticipated landing spot for the 6x All-Star. And if you were to believe Gilbert Arenas, this trade could make Butler what a former Chicago Bulls legend used to be for his team.

Appearing on The Right Time with Bomani Jones, Gilbert Arenas opened up on what the possibilities could be like if Butler moved to the Suns. “Just like when Jimmy was with Minnesota… When Jimmy went to Philadelphia and when he went to Miami. He is the Scottie Pippen type… He does all the tangible things to get the win…” Gil said.

The former Golden State Warriors star was seemingly referring to Pippen’s abilities being at his max when he knew for a fact that he got someone like Michael Jordan to keep the scoreboard moving at his will. Even His Airness himself admitted he would not have won all those championships had Pip not been by his side.

Scottie’s importance in the Bulls has anyway never been doubted. But how does Jimmy Butler compare to the 6x NBA champ? Well, Arenas explained it further in his comments on The Right Time with Bomani Jones.

“He [Jimmy Butler] understands every quarter is this different quarter. And when you have two guys that can just focus on being great, I can do everything else… But if I [Butler] have to be great and do my job, it’s a lot more wear and tear on me. But you two score and whatever, I’ll make sure everything else is lining up…” Arenas explained.

The ex-Warriors star further detailed that if Butler heads to the Suns, he can let Kevin Durant and Devin Booker do what they do best while he handles other aspects of the game. “… Moving pieces around, moving a quarter round, dictating the game. I think they’re going to be dangerous… They need Jimmy. Just like Kevin needed Draymond Green…”

However, it’s not as if the 6x All-Star solves all of the Suns’ existing issues. If there’s one thing the Suns desperately need, it’s more three-point shooting. Right now, they rank 12th in the NBA with 36.8 three-point attempts per game.

And here’s the concern: the 6x All-Star isn’t exactly a sniper from deep. His career average? A modest 33 percent from three. This season, it’s dipped even lower—just 1.4 attempts per game, making only 0.5. That’s not exactly the kind of shooting you’d expect from someone meant to complement Durant and Booker.

But let’s not get it twisted. Butler’s game has never been about knocking down threes. He brings something different—toughness, leadership, and a winning mentality that few players possess. But that’s only if the trade actually comes into place.

Former Suns star denies the possibility of Jimmy Butler heading to Phoenix

The February 6th trade deadline is fast approaching, which means the Miami Heat are running out of time to trade Butler. The relationship between the two has evidently soured to the point of no return. With tensions escalating, speculation has grown regarding the 6x All-Star’s next destination. Among the teams linked to the six-time All-Star, the Phoenix Suns have reportedly expressed the highest level of interest in acquiring him.

However, Suns legend Eddie Johnson remains unconvinced that Butler will land in Phoenix. Johnson firmly believes that Butler’s history and reputation will prevent the trade from materializing. “Your past follows you, until you prove people wrong. You have to win people over. Do I think the trade is going to happen? No, I don’t,” Johnson stated during his appearance on FanDuel TV’s Run It Back.

Though Johnson has no official ties to the Suns’ front office, he long served as the team’s analyst. Drawing from his experience in both basketball and media, he does not envision a scenario where Butler dons a Suns jersey before the trade deadline.