The Brooklyn Nets, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers are interested in talking further with the Minnesota Timberwolves in regards to a Jimmy Butler trade, according a report from Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Per the report, Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor has told president/coach Tom Thibodeau a deal needs to be negotiated to move Butler as soon as possible. Thibodeau was willing to coach the season with Butler on the team even though the four-time All-Star has a bad rapport with small forward Andrew Wiggins and big man Karl-Anthony Towns.
Butler will not be present at media day on Sept. 24 and has no aspirations to play for the team anymore. The 29-year-old can become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2019 if he declines his player option for the 2019-20 season. Butler reportedly prefers to play for the Clippers.
In his first season with the Timberwolves, Jimmy Butler averaged 22.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game while shooting 47.4 percent from the field and 35.0 percent from 3-point distance. He will make $20.44 million this season and is seeking a five-year deal worth around $190 million when he enters the open market.
Looking at some potential deals the Timberwolves could make, the Clippers and Rockets have the best packages to offer for Butler. The Clippers could trade swingman Tobias Harris and guard Patrick Beverley, while the Rockets could part ways with guard Eric Gordon and forward P.J. Tucker.
The Brooklyn Nets and Miami Heat don't have the assets to trade for Butler, who is regarded as one of the best two-way players in the game. Thibodeau, who doesn't want to coach a young, rebuilding team, might ask the Pistons for forward Blake Griffin so he can do the classic “All-Star for All-Star” trade.
Per the report, several teams are willing to trade for Butler without an assurance he would re-sign with them in the summer of 2019.
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