This week, some big NBA rumors hit the front page of the internet. Along with every other NBA fanbase, Minnesota Timberwolves fans were surprised to hear that the Miami Heat are reportedly "open to listening to offers for Butler and making a deal if the proposal is right," according to league insider Shams Charania.
While the Heat have reached the NBA Finals twice with Butler as the captain of their ship, they have fallen short of expectations multiple times as well. It would not be surprising if the aging Butler wanted to find a new home with a stronger contender so that he might have a better chance of winning a championship before the end of his career.
On Wednesday, his top choices for a preferred destination were revealed to the public. It was reported that Butler would prefer playing with the Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns or Houston Rockets should Miami end up moving him.
These may be Butler's preferred choices for a new team, but that does not mean the Heat have to submit to his wishes. What if the Timberwolves opted to throw their names in the hat for Jimmy's services?
The Heat are open to trading Jimmy Butler
I know, there is close to zero shot of it happening, and most Wolves fans would probably prefer to stub their toe repeatedly against a bed frame than to accept Butler back to the franchise after how he left last time. But just from the perspective of a simple thought exercise, it would be positively hilarious to see Jimmy have to return to Minnesota while simultaneously not even being the best player on the team this time around.
Even from a basketball perspective it could make sense in theory. Butler is still a high-level player at both ends of the floor and consistently gets better in the postseason. Purely viewing the situation through an X's and O's lens, Timberwolves fans would probably like having Jimmy on the roster.
But it is the drama with which Butler exited Minnesota that likely makes most content with never seeing him back in a Wolves uniform ever again. Add in the fact that he has consistently dodged playing Minnesota since his departure and earned himself the nickname "general soreness," and this situation is clearly a pipe dream.
Jimmy Butler may not be in Miami much longer, but it feels like a big stretch to think we would ever see him represent the Twin Cities again.