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Miami Heat president Pat Riley denys using profanity in a recent conversation with Minnesota Timberwolves president/head coach Tom Thibodeau. Riley and Thibodeau have been discussing a Jimmy Butler trade, and a report stated that Riley called Thibodeau a mother-bleeper and hung up the phone after Thibodeau asked for more picks in exchange for Butler.
The report claimed the Timberwolves and Heat had essentially agreed to a trade which would have sent Butler to the Heat in exchange for swingman Josh Richardson, guard Dion Waiters, and a protected first-round pick.
Pat Riley statement: "As to what has been reported in the past 24 hours, I have too much respect for Tom Thibodeau and all that he's accomplished in the league. Our conversations have been nothing but cordial . . . "
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) October 12, 2018
". . . and I have never used that kind of language in negotiations. But I do admit to telling Danny Ainge to . . ." (That reference to his "STFU" quote during the LeBron Era.) https://t.co/LtAslAWeu7
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) October 12, 2018
Even if Pat Riley did curse at Tom Thibodeau, there's no way he's going to admit to it. Riley and his staff probably saw the rumor swirling around and decided to release a statement to quiet the noise a little bit.
Butler requested a trade from the Timberwolves almost four weeks ago. Riley and the Heat have been aggressively trying to acquire the four-time All-Star ever since then, but Thibodeau and Timberwolves general manager Scott Layden are reportedly asking for too much.
Butler returned to practice on Wednesday and caused quite the stir, yelling at teammates, Thibodeau, and Layden. He went out of his way to challenge Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins. The rugged defender fits the mold of a Pat Riley player, one who likes confrontation and isn't afraid to speak his mind.
