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.

Jimmy Butler returned from his seven game suspension in the Miami Heat’s 133-113 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Friday at the Kaseya Center.

Jimmy Butler made his return, but the Heat still lost its third straight game to reach the 40-game mark at 20-20.

How long Butler is "here" in Miami is the question. Butler has requested a trade from the Heat and, while he is frustrated at the pace of action on that front, Miami has not found

After an alarming last-minute injury scratch from the lineup on Wednesday, Nikola Jokic was able to play with a sprained right elbow in Miami. It did not seem to bother him. He completed his 16th triple-double of the season late in the third quarter with one of his most delicious highlights of the year.

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.

Will Jimmy Butler make his Heat return on Friday against the Nuggets? Check back here for updates throughout the day

Jamal Murray scored 30 points, Nikola Jokic extended his NBA lead with his 17th triple-double of the season and the Denver Nuggets spoiled Jimmy Butler’s return by beating the Miami Heat 133-113 on Friday night.

NBA writer Bennett Durando of the Denver Post has suggested that Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat is one of the names that the Denver Nuggets might want to explore as the trade deadline approaches.

Windhorst speculates Fox prefers the San Antonio Spurs, but other teams, such as the Heat, Houston Rockets, and Orlando Magic, could also be on his list. The news of Fox’s trade request from the Kings broke Tuesday night following a 110-96 win against the Brooklyn Nets after a pair of losses to the Denver Nuggets and the New York Knicks.

HoopsHype ranks the 10 players who have appeared most often in trade rumors over the previous week, including De’Aaron Fox and more.