Timberwolves’ Jimmy Butler has asserted his interest in joining the Miami Heats after meeting with club executives on Wednesday.
Last Tuesday, Butler was okay with a move to the New York Knicks, the Nets or LA Clippers. A week later, the 29-year old has changed tune and is only interested in a move to South Beach. Marc Stein of the New York Times first tweeted the report.
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
Funny enough, Butler once vowed never to play for the Miami Heats. But a lot can change in five years. South Beach is aggressively interested in finalizing the deal. Eight other franchises are also interested in the player now that Timberwolves’ owner Glen Taylor has made it clear he wants the All-Star forward out.
Butler will be a free agent next summer, which explains why Taylor has no issue trading the 29-year old. His contract situation also means he is more likely to get a trade deal with a team he wants compared to if he had multiple years remaining.
If Butler goes to Miami, it could greatly help South Beach improve on the Eastern Conference standings. However, it will come at the cost of a few uprising draft-picks and they don’t many of them.
