Jimmy Butler was the best player on an Eastern Conference champion 18 months ago. Players like that almost never become available, especially when they're two-way wings, the NBA's scarcest commodity.

Jimmy Butler has rejuvenated his NBA career since joining the Miami Heat ahead of the 2019-20 season. He has also helped the Heat re-open their championship window for the first time since the break up of the Heatles.

Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra uses the term "outside noise" to deal with situations like this. It means the Heat pay little attention to what is said outside the team's locker room. That's the approach Spoelstra is taking with the latest Jimmy Butler trade speculation.