In games where he has played, Butler has gotten the sense that Miami's offense is gearing more toward the Tyler Herro-Bam Adebayo duo, forcing him to be the third option. Although Herro is having a career year, Butler feels that if he's going to be the third option, he'd rather be a third option for Phoenix.

Book has had everything handed to him since James Jones arrived. Promising new rookies. (Josh Jackson, Deandre Ayton, Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson). All-time great veterans (Chris Paul, Durant and Beal). New coaches (Monty Williams, Frank Vogel and Mike Budenholzer). The franchise has even upgraded the locker room and practice facility.

Jimmy Butler is back. Officially. His seven-game suspension is over, and he was not listed on the injury report in advance of Friday's game between the Miami Heat and the Denver Nuggets. Less than two hours before tip-off,

Will we see any league-shattering deals before the NBA trade deadline? Here are some that would work, involving some big names.

The Miami Heat are listening to trade offers for All-Star forward Jimmy Butler, and one superstar player on the Phoenix Suns, Kevin

Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler reportedly wants to team up with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker on the Phoenix Suns. NBA insider Jake Fischer reported

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.

Up to the year 2031, the Phoenix Suns have just two draft picks that can be traded since they mortgaged their future by shipping the rest away for players like Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal and others.

Heat forward Jimmy Butler stands on the court during the second half of Friday's game against the Nuggets. (Lynne Sladky)

Ramona Shelburne of ESPN has come out with the latest report detailing the feelings about Butler's role with Miami and how there was a disconnect on who was being valued. While Butler “wasn't upset” that Bam Adebayo was made the Heat's captain, it proved as “validation” that wasn't his team.

The clash pits perhaps the NBA's most disgruntled superstar against a franchise that won't bend to his will. And everyone in the NBA is watching.