"Finding a deal that works for Butler, Beal (who has a no-trade clause), the Suns and the Heat is the Mount Everest of tall tasks. Identifying Phoenix as Butler's best landing spot, though, isn't all that difficult."

As the NBA trade deadline draws nearer, here are the latest rumors on star players Jimmy Butler, Cameron Johnson and Zach LaVine.

Q: Jimmy Butler as the point guard late in his career is like what LeBron James has done for the Lakers. If only he accepts that role fully, and lets Erik Spoelstra integrate the young guys that they continue to develop. But, yeah money is still the priority for him. – Mac.

Here's a look at all the recent news surrounding the Indiana Pacers, including a bevy of trade rumors, proposals, and predictions.

Q: Ira, there could have been some rust, but most people seem to think Jimmy Butler didn’t give full effort Friday. Which is better for the Heat: Having someone with Jimmy’s talent playing half-hearted?

In his current standoff with the Heat front office ( read: Pat Riley ), Miami attempted to avoid the “burn everything down” portion by suspending Butler seven games for conduct detrimental to the team ( read: attempting to force a trade ).

Jimmy Butler walked out of the Miami Heat locker room on Friday night wearing a Michael Jordan jersey. It wasn’t a No. 23 jersey.

The Milwaukee Bucks are reportedly among the teams that have sniffed around Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler in a possible trade, but with the Phoenix Suns still pursuing him aggressively, there is a way that the Bucks could get in on a possible Butler deal without actually landing the mercurial forward.

Jimmy Butler's recent eight-point performance in a victory against the San Antonio Spurs sparked Jeff Teague to question his effort for the Miami Heat for the remainder of his time on the team.

Jackson specifically cites the Boston Celtics' trades for center Kristaps Porzingis and guard Jrue Holiday which resulted in an instant title, and the Milwaukee Bucks' deal for All-Star point guard Damian Lillard, moves that Jackson observes were far bolder than the Heat's summer signings of center Thomas Bryant and shooting guard Josh Richardson.

Despite Jimmy Butler's return, the Miami Heat were unable to take down the Denver Nuggets on Friday night. Miami ended up falling to Denver by the final