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.

Bradley Beal came off the bench Monday for the first time since his fourth NBA season. He's been linked to a Jimmy Butler trade.

Despite the constant trade talks, a lineup change, and the turmoil that has been this early 16-18 Phoenix Suns season, Bradley Beal has stayed committed to the four letters scribed in on his chest.

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.

Recently, Stephen A. Smith took to ESPN to give a harsh criticism of Phoenix, as well as some friendly advice on why he thinks they should pursue Jimmy Butler via trade.

“While the Miami Heat continues to listen to trade offers for six-time NBA All-Star Jimmy Butler, his Heat tenure isn’t officially over yet,” Chiang reported. “According to a source close to the situation, Butler will be expected to rejoin the Heat and play in games if he’s still on the roster at the end of his team-issued seven-game suspension.”

PHOENIX -- Amid a flurry of trade rumors surrounding his name, Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal finally broke his silence. When asked if his recent benching was due to a potential move, Beal offered the following: "If so, I need to be addressed because I hold the cards. Until I'm addressed and somebody says something different, I'll be a Sun."

Suns guard Bradley Beal was candid when asked about the trade rumors with Jimmy Butler, as well as coming off the bench.

The Miami Heat's star forward, Jimmy Butler, is expected to be moved soon, but some teams have been informed not to trade for him.

The Phoenix Suns have been bandied about as a possible destination for Jimmy Butler, the disgruntled Heat star, but does a Bradley Beal package make sense for Miami?

Butler has seen his role diminish greatly this season. That has played a huge role as to why Jimmy Buckets is looking for a new place to play. There is some leverage working in Butler's favor here too.