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The Phoenix Suns have contacted the Minnesota Timberwolves to see what it will cost to get involved in a three-team trade involving All-Star small forward Jimmy Butler, but the asking price was too steep for them in the initial conversation, according to a report from Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Sources: Phoenix did check w/ Minnesota on cost of getting involved on a Jimmy Butler trade, but asking price was far too steep for Suns. So far, there's been no communication on Teague or Dragic in a 3-way, but that could always change if Miami-Minnesota go deeper into talks. https://t.co/djW3tdMyNL
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 26, 2018
The Suns are in desperate need of a starting-caliber point guard after trading guard Brandon Knight to the Houston Rockets in a deal which brought veteran power forward Ryan Anderson to Phoenix. The franchise has been actively trying to acquire a point guard and have inquired about Damian Lillard, Kemba Walker, Terry Rozier, Patrick Beverley, Cory Joseph, and Spencer Dinwiddie, per numerous reports.
It appears the Suns and Timberwolves won't communicate again, per veteran journalist Chris Sheridan. The Sacramento Kings have emerged as the key third team needed to facilitate a Butler trade, as they have the cap space to take on bad contracts.
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Source: #Suns out of the mix on @JimmyButler trade discussions. #Kings the key third team player still.
— Chris Sheridan (@sheridanhoops) September 26, 2018
Butler, who can become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2019 if he declines his 2019-20 player option, has requested a trade from Minnesota and prefers to play for the Miami Heat. The four-time All-Star has no intention of returning to Minnesota despite head coach/president Tom Thibodeau's best efforts to keep him. Thibodeau reportedly tried to convince Butler to change his mind on Monday after media day.
The Suns are running out of options now. The team will likely talk to the Clippers and Nets again and try to make a deal to get Beverley or Dinwiddie one last time.
