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Report: Keep Eye on Timberwolves, Julius Randle in Jimmy Butler Trade Talks
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- Report: Keep Eye on Timberwolves, Julius Randle in Jimmy Butler Trade Talks
Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images
It's been a long time since the Minnesota Timberwolves and their fanbase has been dragged into any Jimmy Butler drama. We all remember vividly how he landed in town before the 2017-18 season like a shiny fueled up rocket ship that was supposed to hold a magic elixir to the Wolves' longtime playoff struggles.
Instead, it was full of plague and disease that infected the organization from from the inside-out and nearly sent the long-time desolate franchise into yet another tailspin of doom. Then, just 1.5 years after he arrived, Jimmy blasted off in search of warmer weather, leaving those who were there before him to cure the sickness he left.
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Thankfully, one horrid season after Butler demanded his way out of town, Minnesota got the No. 1 pick and landed Anthony Edwards , which saved them from yet another bottoming out. And now, just a handful of years later, Jimmy Butler is forcing his way out of Miami , too.
"Jimmy Butler's gonna get traded." 😳 @WindhorstESPN says he's "more sure than ever" that the Miami Heat will trade Jimmy Butler and that teams could acquire him for a "relatively cheap" price. 👀 pic.twitter.com/WH0hBhHIgM
— First Take (@FirstTake) January 28, 2025
"Jimmy Butler is going to get traded. I wasn't sure about that maybe seven to ten days ago. I really am more sure than ever that's going to happen. The Heat are trying to make it happen. They have backed down on their ask to teams vs what they were two or three weeks ago, when this saga really started. They are willing to do more and I think there is really a chance now. More teams are going to wade in here, because the price on Butler is going to be lower, than just the Phoenix Suns , which is the way it's been."
In case you haven't heard, Butler has spent most of the past month either on the bench faking injuries, or suspended. This week, he returned to practice after a multi-game suspension. After being told he wasn't going to start, he left team facilities and was suspended again . Now, the Heat are desperate to trade him .
Minnesota Timberwolves a team to watch in Jimmy Butler trade talks
This is where the ( 25-21 ) Minnesota Timberwolves come in. Jimmy Butler has a contract that is not very easy to move, especially given the circumstances. That means, they may have to swap him out with another player that isn't as 'wanted' by his current team.
Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Enter Julius Randle , whose fit in Minnesota has been awkward since the moment he was acquired in a blockbuster deal for Karl-Anthony Towns late last offseason. Well, according to NBA insider Ian Begley (SNY) , now that the Heat are more desperate to move their unhappy superstar, we need to "keep an eye on the Timberwolves in a Butler deal".
According to reports, the Suns and/or Heat have talked to several teams about a three, four, or five-team deal involving Butler.
Keep an eye on Minnesota in a Butler deal. In the offseason, the Heat were one of the teams that expressed interest in trading for Julius Randle , per SNY sources. Randle has remained on the Heat's radar during the Butler saga, sources say.
Before Minnesota Timberwolves fans panic, let me bring some logic to the conversation. We know Jimmy Butler wants to go to Phoenix, and the Suns would love to swap out Bradley Beal for Jimmy Butler. Unfortunately for the Heat, Beal isn't keen on waiving his no-trade clause, in order to land in South Beach.
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Thus, it's unlikely Butler lands back in Minnesota, even if they are one of the teams involved in making this trade happen. It does seem very possible, however, that Bradley Beal may be willing to waive his no-trade, in order to land with the Timberwolves. The winter weather isn't as nice here (most of the time)… but the basketball team is better.
Timberwolves involved in Butler trade talks
Begley goes on to say that he does not know if the MN Timberwolves are actively involved in talks right now with the Heat, but he does report that the two sides have been in contact regarding possible trade packages including Jimmy Butler.
I don't know if there are any active trade talks between Minnesota and Miami. But the two teams have been in touch on Butler trades.
As we all know, the Suns want to acquire Butler. The deal is complicated by Bradley Beal 's no-trade clause. Phoenix would have to send Beal out to acquire Butler via trade.
On the season , Jimmy Butler is averaging 17 points per game, down from his career average of 18.3. With that being said, both his rebound (5.2 RPG) and assist (4.8 APG) numbers are on par with what he has provided throughout his career, and his 54% shooting is far above his career average of 47.2%.
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Meanwhile, in Phoenix, Bradley Beal's numbers are down all around. His 16.9 points per game is down nearly five whole points from his career average (21.7 PPG). His rebounds (3.5 RPG) and assists (3.5 APG) are both down too. In Beal's defense, however, he was down last year too, after arriving in Phoenix to be the final piece to the Kevin Durant + Devin Booker championship puzzle.
Suns fan kicked out of the game for yelling "Jimmy Butler" while Bradley Beal was shooting free throws.
Bradley Beal wife was spotted in the front row of the section per her Instagram account.
This was during the 4th quarter with 36 seconds left in the game. pic.twitter.com/AwabFPZTQD— 🌵 Mr. Az (@MrAzSports) January 26, 2025
I'm not sure anyone wants to see Jimmy Butler back in a Minnesota Timberwolves uniform. But honestly, either he or Beal would be a better option for what the Wolves need than Julius Randle. That fit has not, and will not work.
