Jimmy Butler Rumored To Prefer Miami As Trade Destination
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The Jimmy Butler trade saga continues with whispers about the shooting guard potentially relocating to Miami.
The New York Times' Marc Stein tweeted that South Beach is Butler's preferred destination.
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
According to recent reports, the Heat have been aggressively pursuing a deal with Minnesota to acquire Butler.
Head Coach Tom Thibodeau said he'd honor Butler's request for a trade, but the team would only make a deal if it would benefit the Wolves.
Butler did not participate in the Timberwolves Media Day on Monday, but was at the team facility and did a physical, which is standard for NBA players as they enter the season.
Butler was a key piece last year in the Timberwolves returning to the NBA Playoffs for the first time since the 2003-04 season. He declined a four-year contract extension from Minnesota in the offseason, knowing he was entering the final year of his current contract. He could opt for unrestricted free agency, and a bigger contract, after this season.
The Timberwolves are inclined to trade him to another team, rather than let the season play out and not get anything for him in return.