Jimmy Butler was open to trading his 'Wolves kit for one of those snazzy Miami Vice singlets, and it almost happened too. An 11th-hour decision to nix a trade with the Miami Heat leaves Jimmy Butler in the unwanted limbo position for at least another day or two. The Minnesota Timberwolves and the Miami Heat were in advanced talks to get a deal nailed down until one side had second thoughts.
According to ESPN, owner Glen Taylor and his cohorts presented the Miami Heat with an amended version of a transaction they had previously agreed upon, ending the talks in the 11th hour of deliberation. Talks were reportedly so advanced that Jimmy Butler was already prepping for a medical examination as is the custom in the latter stages of NBA trade talks.
As Miami Heat was receiving the amended version of their agreement, Minnesota was busy scrounging up Jimmy Butler's medical records. Sometime between now and then, Minnesota raised their asking price, and Miami Heat was seemingly put off because they'd already consented to add the versatile two-way guard Josh Richardson as a sweetener in the deal.
Miami is nonetheless interested in tabling a restructured offer. Both Minnesota and Miami remain hopeful that a deal involving possibly a third party will alternately help them offload their surplus contracts. We'll have to wait and see if Miami remain in the hunt for Butler's services