While the Dallas Mavericks are interested in acquiring Minnesota Timberwolves small forward Jimmy Butler, the franchise knows they have the opportunity to sign the disgruntled All-Star in free agency next summer, so they aren't inclined to offer the Timberwolves a grand trade package.

ESPN.com's Brian Windhorst appeared on the HoopsHype podcast with Alex Kennedy and detailed why a Butler trade hasn't happened yet, and why the Mavs and Los Angeles Clippers are in the same boat in regards to Butler.

“The ground is not fertile for a trade right now, and there's a couple of reasons,” Windhorst said. “One is that for some teams, Jimmy Butler will clearly be a rental. Teams like Miami and Houston, he has more value to them because they wouldn't be able to have a chance at him in free agency, so they have reduced leverage because of it.

“Like if the Clippers call, or the Mavericks, for example, are a team that wants him. But they have salary cap space so they know they can sign Jimmy Butler without trading anything for him.”

Jimmy Butler is very close with Mavs center DeAndre Jordan. Both grew up in the Texas area. Dallas has salary cap space to sign Butler to a max contract next offseason. Butler can become an unrestricted free agent if he declines his 2019-20 player option, something he is expected to do.

The Mavs would be foolish to trade their young assets for Jimmy Butler. Point guard Dennis Smith Jr. and rookie Luka Doncic are obviously off the table. Small forward Harrison Barnes and Butler do play the same position, but imagine how explosive the Mavs' offense would be with both of them in the lineup? Like Windhorst says, it just wouldn't make any sense for Dallas to give Minnesota anything of value for a player they can acquire in free agency.

There does come some risks with that, though. The Los Angeles Lakers never traded for Paul George because they thought George was going to sign with them in free agency. George ended up re-signing with the Oklahoma City Thunder. It all boils down to how badly the Mavs want Jimmy Butler.