The Miami Heat had reportedly made progress in trade talks with the Minnesota Timberwolves this week, and were pushing the Wolves to accept a revised trade offer on Wednesday for four-time All-Star Jimmy Butler. However, proposed changes from Minnesota created a "breakdown” in negotiations, according to Marc Stein of The New York Times.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports, "Minnesota's preferences in a Miami deal have included center Bam Adebayo, guard Josh Richardson and a protected 2019 first-round pick." Additionally, the Wolves want to get rid of center Gorgui Dieng and the $48 million left on his contract as part of any Jimmy Butler trade, which could require a third team.
While Miami remains aggressive in their pursuit of Butler, Woj notes, "Timberwolves executives told other interested teams in the past 24 hours that they didn't have any offers that met the franchise's criteria to honor Butler's trade request and planned to hold on to him until a deal met their requirements, league sources said." In addition to the Heat, the Houston Rockets have also been aggressive in their attempt to acquire Butler.
Meanwhile, the 29-year old star is still rehabbing his surgically repaired right wrist but he has reportedly shown no intentions of missing any regular season games so long as he's healthy. According to Woj, Butler has been working out at the team's facility during their West coast preseason road trip, and has been in regular contact with teammates.
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