With the 2018/19 season officially underway, the Jimmy Butler trade talks that were so active in the weeks leading up to opening night are “mostly dormant” for the time being, reports Shams Charania of The Athletic.
The Heat were the most aggressive suitor for Butler during the preseason, having nearly reached a deal with the Timberwolves that would have sent Josh Richardson, Dion Waiters, and a protected first-round pick to Minnesota for the All-NBA swingman. However, according to Charania, Heat president Pat Riley informed his players a few days before the regular season began that the club planned to stick with its current roster for now.
While the Timberwolves aren’t close to any deals involving Butler at the moment, trade discussions figure to pick back up at some point. Team owner Glen Taylor confirmed earlier this week that he and the 29-year-old reached an understanding — Butler will play hard for the Wolves while the team continues to seek out a trade package for him.
If and when those trade talks resume, Miami still looks like a prime landing spot. Marc Stein of The New York Times also noted earlier this week that “rumbles persist” about the Rockets maintaining serious interest in trading for Butler, despite the Wolves’ aversion to helping Houston build another super-team in the Western Conference.
Although Butler isn’t necessarily happy to still be in Minnesota, he has been making an effort to display leadership and help out his teammates by easing the pressure from head coach Tom Thibodeau, according to Charania.
“Just hoop, I told them, and I think that I can get Thibs to relax a little bit,” Butler said. “He’s never going to say anything about offense as long as you go down there and play with effort on the defensive end and get a couple stops. It’s whenever you’re not getting stops when he starts yelling. I think Thibs has calmed down a lot, and guys are playing with effort.”
He’s crazy
Butler or Taylor? Or both?
“despite the Wolves’ aversion to helping Houston build another super-team in the Western Conference.”
They did this years ago when they took Beasley from Miami so they could sign LeBron and Bosh.
* Eastern conference
According to team owner Glen Taylor, the return he is seeking in return for Butler, is a Guard to replace Butler’s spot as well as a Tackle and a Running Back.
If the “right” Running Back isn’t out there, he would be interested in either a Shortstop or Center Fielder. Who says Glen doesn’t understand Basketball?
A Butler injury is likely under these conditions of play-hard-with-reservations. He should claim a fake injury before he gets a real one.
Despite what Butler says, he will not be giving his all and opening himself up to the possibility of injury for a team from which he wants to be traded with free agency just around the corner.