If Jimmy Butler has his choice of potential trade destination, he’d prefer to join Pat Riley’s Miami Heat, according to Marc Stein of the New York Times.
The Heat have pursued Butler as aggressively as any of the 20-plus teams to inquire thus far but, like many, have found it hard to get Minnesota to clearly communicate. League sources say Miami is a team that strongly appeals to the free agent-to-be Butler after a trade https://t.co/YYTQT8FW22
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) September 26, 2018
It was just last week Butler reportedly made it clear he wanted to be traded to either the Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets. But, unlike those destinations, Miami actually makes sense for both parties involved.
The Heat are in desperate need of a star player. They also have a plethora of contracts, veterans and young pieces that could get a deal done that would be enticing to Minnesota. For example, if Miami offered Tyler Johnson, one of Justice Winslow or Bam Adebayo, plus another roster player and a first-round pick for Butler, I think a deal could get done – but that’s just my own speculation.
Why wouldn’t Butler want to end up in Miami? It’s a great basketball city and might be the best destination to live off the court in the NBA. I could see a deal being worked out that benefits both teams.
