With much of Minnesota media in a frenzy due to Jimmy Butler’s name on the trade block, I feel it’s time we revisit the trade idea for Butler to go to the Miami Heat.
Front office insider for ESPN Bobby Marks has stated that the Miami Heat could potentially be interested in Minnesota Timberwolves‘ All-Star Jimmy Butler:
"Via, ESPN “A team like Miami could be more aggressive when it comes to Jimmy Butler. The Heat don’t have cap space next summer to attract free agents and Butler could push them from a good team to one in the top 4 range. Would have a full season to sell him on the Heat culture. A Whiteside/Richardson for Dieng/JB might be the best offer Minny could get especially within a 48H window until camp begins.”"
Marks also states that Miami definitely doesn’t have the cap space to orchestrate a big contract for Butler next summer, but with Heat culture involved, Butler could surely figure something out.
He even goes on to name a potential deal by throwing the names of Hassan Whiteside and Josh Richardson in there for Jimmy Butler and Gorgui Dieng.
Even ESPN’s Brian Windhorst added to the conversation saying that, ‘Whiteside for Dieng would be interesting.’ Windhorst is correct in assuming that it would be interesting, but how valid are these claims?
It’s hard to tell.
Miami Heat beat writers are passionate that players like Bam Adebayo and Justise Winslow are immovable due to their potential and fandom across South Beach, but Whiteside and players like Dion Waiters are definitely pieces that could be sent elsewhere.
Something’s coming...
— Ethan J. Skolnick, 5 Reasons Sports (@EthanJSkolnick) September 23, 2018
Sports Journalist Ethan J. Skolnick writes that “something’s coming…” right after posting an article about the Miami Heat’s interest in Jimmy Butler, this doesn’t mean much, but there’s more.
Butler would obviously fit the Heat scheme and culture in Miami really well with head coach Eric Spoelstra and Pat Riley, but do they have the assets necessary for Minnesota to make the playoffs once again this year?
We’re not quite sure. Obviously guard Josh Richardson and forward Justise Winslow are great enough assets to be added into a deal with Butler but no one believes Miami will think twice about adding either of them in a deal.
Heat’s All-Star Goran Dragic is also not a name that’s came up in any rumors for Jimmy Butler, assuming the Heat want to keep their healthy 32-year old guard who’s ready for a possible 2nd year as an All-Star.
Minnesota’s front office has been direct about wanting to get out of the Gorgui Dieng contract, so that may be the reason for taking lesser talent in any deal, especially one with Miami.
To even further the realm of possibility of Jimmy Butler going to Miami, a Woj bomb just happened as I am writing:
So far, Pat Riley and Miami have been as aggressive as any team in pursuit of a Jimmy Butler trade with Minnesota, league sources tell ESPN. Ownership still prefers to find a deal by early this week, sources said.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 23, 2018
It’s real. So what could the possible deals be?
Both of these trades have been through the ESPN trade machine and contractually work.