The Minnesota Timberwolves remain in a stalemate with the Miami Heat as negotiations to trade All-Star forward Jimmy Butler are ongoing since his request became public. According to Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN, the Timberwolves never wanted Butler's request to become public, something that has made them lose leverage in negotiations.

“The Wolves had no intention of leaking said request,” Wolfson said on The Scoop Podcast. “That was the Jimmy Butler side that leaked the request. The Wolves remain upset about that.”

This comes shortly after a report said Butler thought he had made his desire to want out of Minnesota clear earlier this offseason, a misunderstanding that ultimately warranted a meeting between president/head coach Tom Thibodeau, general manager Scott Layden and Butler at his home in Los Angeles.

The Timberwolves are unlikely to get equal value for Butler, who is bound to walk for nothing in return if he isn't shipped out before the February trade deadline. Minnesota reportedly recently asked for Miami's Josh Richardson, Bam Adebayo, and a first-round pick, along with the promise to take on Gorgui Dieng's bloated three-year, $48 million contract — something the Heat didn't agree to.

Conversations have gotten closer recently, but there is no imminent trade between the two sides, as Thibodeau and company have stayed put in their desire to get the mother lode for Butler's services.