It’s not often that an NBA team will experience multiple roster changes just before the start of a season, but that might be what happens to the Timberwolves if Wednesday’s reports are accurate.
It all starts with the Miami Heat, whom last week were reportedly putting a “full-court press” on the Wolves to trade for disgruntled superstar Jimmy Butler, who’s asked Minnesota to trade him as soon as possible.
Today, Marc Stein of the New York Times reports that Butler has informed that Wolves that he’d prefer to be traded to the Heat. Minnesota doesn’t have to accommodate Butler’s preference.
Jimmy Butler and his agent Bernie Lee have informed Wolves ownership that Miami is Butler's preferred trade destination, league sources say
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) September 26, 2018
Miami is home to Butler’s good friend and former teammate in Chicago, Dwyane Wade, who is entering the final season of his Hall of Fame career.
Adding to the intrigue of a potential Miami-Minnesota deal is a report from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, saying the Phoenix Suns could enter the fold as a third team in a deal as they have eyes for Wolves point guard Jeff Teague.
Phoenix's pursuit of a starting point guard could factor into the Jimmy Butler trade discussions as a potential third-team partner, league sources tell ESPN. If Minnesota trades for Goran Dragic in a Miami/Butler scenario, that could make Wolves PG Jeff Teague available for Suns.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 26, 2018
Wojnarowski says Phoenix has also shown interest in Wolves backup point guard Tyus Jones.
RealGM’s Keith Smith was the first to report Phoenix’s interest in getting involved, so long as they can get a point guard out of the deal.
Sources: In addition to the Sacramento Kings getting involved in helping facilitate a Jimmy Butler trade, the Phoenix Suns are open to jumping in as well. Phoenix will get involved if they can return a point guard in a three-team trade.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) September 25, 2018
Meanwhile, the updated odds from Vegas sports books, via Bovada, on where Butler will be when the season begins now favor the Heat with 6/5 odds, followed by the Wolves at 9/5.
What Minnesota could get from Phoenix for Teague or Jones is unknown, but The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported Sep. 17 that Phoenix was only willing to part with second round picks were they to trade for Clippers point guard Patrick Beverly.
