Though the strength of schedule over this span hasn’t necessarily been impressive, Phoenix has been better recently, winning nine of its last 13 games. So, as the team continues its pursuit of Jimmy Butler, the Suns (24-22) are moving their way up the standings.

The Miami Heat have suspended disgruntled forward Jimmy Butler again -- this time indefinitely after he walked out of a team shootaround practice Monday.

The Miami Heat are suspending star forward Jimmy Butler indefinitely, CBS Sports NBA insider Bill Reiter confirmed Monday. The decision came after Butler walked out of a shootaround ahead of Monday's game against the Orlando Magic.

The Miami Heat forward was suspended indefinitely by the team on Monday, the latest in a saga that began with a trade request.

As the clock ticks toward the deadline, the Warriors have floated a protected first-rounder as a sweetener in potential deals.

Depending on how you process any recent Heat news, that latter point feels correct, given some of Butler’s relationships with players on Miami’s roster. That is especially true of younger contributors who have grown to see Butler as a mentor no matter his team-related drama or level of candor.

Here’s the thing: The Heat are trying to out-petty Jimmy Butler right now.

The indefinite suspension all but closes a complicated chapter of Butler's 14-year career. A six-time All-Star, an Eastern Conference finals MVP and the leader of two teams that went to the NBA Finals, Butler has taken each of his four franchises to heights they have struggled to replicate without him.

Golden State Warriors, who are, as usual, in an array of conversations regarding multiple potential deals to bolster their chances of what might be a last hurrah playoff run in the Stephen Curry era.

The drama in South Beach continues as All-Star forward Jimmy Butler has been suspended by the Miami Heat for the third time this month, the team announced Monday.

In a battle of wills, Pat Riley always wins, and will wait it out until he wins — no matter the opponent or cost. The newly implemented collective bargaining agreement means more standoffs and uncomfortable situations are bound to happen — teams will have to make more shrewd decisions even as the money continues to grow.