The race for Jimmy Butler's services has intensified as of late, as the All-Star forward notified Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor of his interest for the Miami Heat, who have become the frontrunner to acquire him in a trade. Butler is expected to be dealt in the very near future, according to Chris Sheridan of GetMoreSports — potentially even becoming a four-team trade with two teams willing to take on bloated contracts.
The Heat is showing incredible interest in Butler, going from an outsider to a frontrunner in a matter of days, but the organization is still puzzled by the Timberwolves' brass, still unclear of what they're hoping to get in return for their star.
Cap enthusiast Albert Nahmad explained why a deal with Miami could bestow plenty of headaches, given the plethora of players in four-year deals, the very few suitable assets (not including draft picks) and the desire to keep the best for themselves.
The Heat view the core of Goran Dragic, Josh Richardson, Kelly Olynyk, and Bam Adebayo as the team's future, but the Timberwolves are bound to ask for either of them, especially Richardson, who is in a team-friendly contract and one of the best up-and-coming three-and-D talents in the league.
The Sacramento Kings emerged as one of the teams willing to take on bloated contracts in exchange for a draft pick and cash considerations, given their abundant cap space — but it could take another team to jump in and facilitate this deal if Minnesota is hoping to unload more than just Gorgui Dieng's deal (three years for $48.7 million remaining).
The Phoenix Suns recently aimed at acquiring point guard Tyus Jones, as they're heading into training camp without a legitimate floor general. If they're willing to take on another bloated contract, as they did with Ryan Anderson earlier in the offseason, they could become the fourth team the Timberwolves need to complete a trade for Butler.
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