It has now been 19 days since word of Jimmy Butler‘s trade request was leaked, and despite pressure from Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau, Butler has “never wavered” on his desire to be moved, sources tell Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic. According to Krawczynski, Butler has dined with teammates and sent text messages of encouragement to players like Taj Gibson and Josh Okogie, but remains determined to leave Minnesota, preferably before the season begins.
If the Timberwolves are unable to complete a deal soon, Butler may “begrudgingly” report to the team in advance of the regular season, says Krawczynski. Despite not reporting to Minnesota so far, Butler isn’t expected to forfeit pay checks once the season begins, even if his return would create an awkward situation for him and his teammates.
Here’s more on the Butler saga:
- While trade talks between the Timberwolves and the Heat – and other teams – have hit a stand still at various times in recent weeks, those discussions are still ongoing, says Krawczynski. While some potential trade partners can perhaps afford to wait and see if they can sign Butler during 2019’s free agent period, clubs like the Heat and Rockets are under more pressure to pull off a trade, since they won’t have cap room next summer.
- The Heat now appear willing to include Josh Richardson in a potential deal for Butler, but the Clippers haven’t relented on Tobias Harris, according to Krawczynski. A report last week indicated that the Clips didn’t plan to trade Harris, and nothing has changed on that front — L.A. hasn’t put its veteran forward in any offers for Butler, per The Athletic. There are “no active talks” between the Timberwolves and Clippers, Krawczynski adds.
- The Timberwolves have “quietly pushed back” on the idea that they deserve the blame for a deal not being completed yet, writes Krawczynski. The Wolves insist they don’t feel obligated to accept a below-market offer for Butler just because the regular season is approaching.
- Within his Sunday report on the talks between the Heat and Timberwolves, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski suggested that the Heat’s apparent willingness to pay Butler a five-year deal at or near the maximum salary has contributed to the swingman’s enthusiasm for a trade to Miami.
- The Heat had been looking to involve a third team in the Butler talks to take on an unwanted contract – perhaps Dion Waiters‘ deal – but incentivizing that third team with draft picks became one of the road blocks to getting something done, league sources told Wojnarowski.
Forget Waiters related trade for Jimmy
Uggh Waiters
Gallinari and Bradley would help them this year and fit the team well
Gallinari, Gortat, Sindarius Thornwell for Butler and Dieng makes sense to me in a Clippers deal. Maybe add Jawun Evan’s and/or 2nd round picks if necessary
Ha.
Why on earth would the Clippers take on Dieng’s contract without further compensation? Their #1 objective is preserving cap space for next summer. Giving up talent for Butler when they don’t need to, plus throwing away cap space on Dieng is not happening.
Dieng might actually be able to play some 5 on that team, behind Harrell and in tandem with Boban depending on matchups. Gallinari is injury prone, so you can argue he doesnt have the best contract, although he would fit Minnesota
I seriously doubt that Dieng and Boban can be played together.
I shouldn’t have said tandem. I meant it more like a big rotation
Gallinari? He’s injury prone how bout Harris and 2 first rd picks sounds fair! HaHa
Latest on the Jimmy Butler trade saga is that he just isn’t that great and will never fetch the return Minnesota is looking for.
They want more than they gave for him.
Trading Richardson in this type of a deal would be a big mistake, and these reports of them relenting on that bother me. If he was on the table, and there is still no deal done, then the Heat should take Richardson off the table, and let Minnesota know they missed their chance. The point would be to pair Butler and Richardson on the wing. Butler’s trade value is limited, as he has demanded a trade already, with a limited list of suitors (although anyone can trade for him), and can opt out after the season. He will take max money to sign, and although he is worth that, that doesnt mean they should move Richardson on one of the best value contracts in the league
James Johnson, Kelly Olynyk, Dion Waiters and 2019 1st round pick for Butler and Dieng
As a Heat fan, I’m cool with any combination involving future picks, Whiteside, Waiters, James Johnson, Olynyk, Derrick Jones, McGruder and then Dragic, Bam or Winslow if necessary. I wouldnt be willing to move anyone else.
I would do Justise or Bam if absolutely necessary, but not both. I wouldnt want to lose both James Johnson and Justise Winslow though, and if I’m including 1 of Winslow or Bam, I wouldnt want to include a draft pick, especially if still taking back Dieng, unless maybe Minnesota included Okogie or KBD in return.
If Thibodeau wants to be salty Butler is leaving, let him be. Dont have to give in, and as time goes by, their options will diminish. I also wouldnt mind seeing what this Heat team can do if they can finally stay healthy, and then they’ll have a bunch of expiring salary to deal from next year
I don’t think Richardson was ever on the table, I think someone was trying to stir a pot. It would take a down year from him this year to cause a speculation for next year, but there would be no reason to move him. I could see a waiters and whiteside for butler and dieng, but the longer this gets, i think the heat are move confident in standing pat going into the season with what they have.
Thibodeaux got booed during the Timberwolves first exhibition game. I can’t imagine the first game if Butler has to play. I wonder what Butler will do if Thibs is playing games with him, and doesn’t try to trade him at all? I don’t think Thibs cares about losing Butler in free agency for nothing. He’s just concerned about right now. Butler can defend, Rose can’t.
If he trades Butler and the twolves stink Thibs is fired so he has to demand a good return to keep his job and that is also why he prefers that Butler stay because the wolves would probably make playoffs again
Minnesota screwed themselves with the impromptu meeting so late in the off season. There was nothing good coming from that meeting. Butler wants to stay then towns asks for a trade. Just completely dumb
Boys will be boys
Waiters and TJ are killing the Heat.
No they arent. Whiteside’s contract is. Waiters a little b/c of his injuries. Olynyk b/c of timing, and the overpay. Those are the only contract issues right now. I’m sick of the narrative that James Johnson or Tyler Johnson are so brutal when most of the people saying it have never seen them play, and dont understand how contracts work. Regardless, the Heat will have a bunch of expiring money available to trade next offseason
Ok, I’m drinking my Wolves Kool-Aid and trying to fix this. First move is firing Thibs. He is a major part of the problem with any trades not being done. Heat want Butler, but also want to unload contracts. Wolves want something very good for Butler, but also want to unload Dieng. Miami sends Whiteside, Richardson, Adebayo and Waiters with a Top4 protected 1st Rd pick. Wolves send Butler, Dieng and Gibson. They can even throw in Justin Patton (not sure if he can even be traded since he is hurt).
Miami gets rid of 2 bad contracts, taking 1 back. The get an expiring contract attached to a serviceable player in Gibson. And the question mark in Patton…along with what they covet in Butler.
Wolves get a new coach (who it is I have no clue) that gets a young roster, who by the time Whiteside and Waiters are gone will be coming into their primes. I’m a Wolves fan, so I am guessing this trade is more favorable to the Wolves, but I am still throwing it against the wall to see if it will stick.
I should note that the 1st Rd pick can be Top 10 protected even. If the Wolves value Butler as much as they are saying, they should assume that Butler will keep them out of the Top 10 in the draft anyways.
Gus, Love getting rid of Thibs, I like your trade proposal but think you asking too much for JB. .. I would do this trade minus the 1st rd pick from Miami .
As a Twolves fan I really just want Richardson and Winslow in the return. Gladly take some selection of Johnson/Johnson/Waiters/Whiteside/Olynk if we get that return
A lot of Athleticism on the floor with a Towns-Winslow-Wiggins-Richardson-Teague starting 5
Too many SFs. Take Mcgruder instead.
But Wolves will hold out for 2 #1s and get burned by discord when none are offered.
Not enough shooters. Today’s NBA is all about spacing. Towns, Winslow, and Teague on the floor together could not compete.
To be honest im not sure why heat are trying so hard for butler they still sink and are littered with bad contracts and little in the way of true talent. Clippers have to keep harris out of any deal because he is really only valueable piece they have. I also think that wolves want to recieve what they sent out for butler which is just not possible as butler is 1 year for free agency.
Agreed. After they give up value for Butler, there’s not enough there to make a run.
Their best bet is to double down on a squad built around Whiteside and hope he gets his head out of his ace.
Heat have like no picks and they’re trying to get rid of Waiters? Whatever if they’re including Richardson,MN needs to realize that’s the best centerpiece. This should be done soon then.
Heat have all their 1st round picks besides 2021
If the Heat want to get rid of Waiters, and the Timberwolves want to get rid of Dieng, how will that work.
The NBA General Managers have said they are not happy with the way the Timberwolves have handled this. Pat Riley told them to get their house in order. I wonder if there is a point the Heat will call the deal dead.