The Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves were making progress on a Jimmy Butler deal this week, according to a report.
The New York Times’ Marc Stein reported on Wednesday that the two teams were making progress on talks until things broke down over deal changes proposed by Minnesota. However, Stein says the teams are now discussing a trade without involving a third team.
Deal specifics are not yet known but the Wolves and Heat, I'm told, have been discussing a trade without the involvement of a third team https://t.co/QAzJmk9tKo
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) October 4, 2018
A report last week said that Butler’s preferred trade destination is Miami, so it seems the Timberwolves are trying to make that work. Minnesota might have wanted a third team so that they could unload an undesirable contract on a team with extra cap space. It’s unclear whether they’re now abandoning that plan.
Butler will be a free agent after the season and informed the Timberwolves before training camp that he will not re-sign with them. He wants them to trade him to a team now so the new team can get his Bird rights and therefore be able to sign him to a larger free agent deal. A trade could also help Minnesota because they would get some value in return for Butler. Previous reports said that Minnesota’s asking price for Butler is too high.
