Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor wants to trade Jimmy Butler before the team’s first training camp practice on Tuesday, reports ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
This comes on the heels of Saturday reports saying Taylor wanted a deal completed as soon as possible, but it’s news that could further decrease any leverage the Wolves have, meaning there’s a legit chance the Wolves won’t get anything significant in return for Butler.
To counter that, Wojnarowski says Taylor wanted to tell Butler and his agent which teams are offering to trade for him, and then find out if Butler would be willing to sign a long-term extension with any of the teams. If Butler says he’d be open to an extension with an offering team, it would help drive the price for him back up.
Multiple reports in the last few days say Butler has eyes on the Clippers, Knicks and Nets, but it’s unclear if he’d be willing to sign an extension anywhere else. That said, USA Today’s Jeff Zillgitt believes Butler would also be open to inking an extension with the Bucks or Wizards.
My understanding is that there are other teams beyond those original three that Butler wants to play and perhaps sign a long-term deal with. @wojespn's latest has some of those teams. I'd add Washington and Milwaukee as outliers.
— Jeff Zillgitt (@JeffZillgitt) September 23, 2018
Wojnarowski explains that there is “significant” interest in Butler with Brooklyn, Detroit, Houston, Miami, Philadelphia, Portland and the Clippers among the teams considering an offer.
https://twitter.com/LegionHoopsRoss/status/1043895193630633984
Per NBA source, the Sixers have put in a call about Jimmy Butler. Nothing more than an inquiry at the moment.
— Jon Johnson (@jonjohnsonwip) September 23, 2018
If Jimmy Butler wants structure, commitment and, OK, Culture, then, yes, the Heat make sense as a destination. What the Heat don't have is 2019 cap space to add Star 1A next summer. And any deal of substance would require the Heat get some sort of assurance going forward.
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) September 23, 2018
Doubt Butler is coming to #Pistons, but source did tell me Friday it's 'worth investigating' https://t.co/gUkvqdJoXU via @freep
— VinceEllis (@AlabamaScribe56) September 23, 2018
