The Jimmy Butler trade saga continues and, in recent days (er, hours), things have only gotten weirder. There was a disagreement with regard to a players-only meeting, with Butler indicating one took place and members of the Minnesota Timberwolves disputing that notion. In addition, the Wolves cancelled practice one day after Butler showed up and dominated a practice and, in short, there is no end in sight.
Further illustrating that is the fact that the Miami Heat appear to be the only active suitor for Butler in trade talks and, at the moment, talks seem to have broken down. The latest update stems from reporting from Jorge Sedano of ESPN, who appeared on radio and indicated that Tom Thibodeau balked at a deal after medical information was shared because he wanted more.
Wow. @SedanoESPN says here the Wolves had a trade for Richardson + pick that was basically a done deal. "Medicals were exchanged. Then Thibs called back and wanted more picks. And Pat Riley called him a motherfucker and hung up the phone" Y I K E S 😬😬😬 https://t.co/QZQFy33GkV
— Key Sang (@Phantele_) October 12, 2018
Jorge used to do Heat radio work, has great ties to that organization. Did add that Waiters was the cap filler. And yes, it wasn't Taylor who shot down that trade. As of Wed. morning, word was Taylor was still deferring to Thibs/Layden on handling trade talks. #Twolves https://t.co/eLCUv2iyKZ
— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) October 12, 2018
As noted by Darren Wolfson of ESPN 1500 in the Twin Cities, Sedano is plugged in with the Heat and, to put it plainly, the colorful reaction from Pat Riley paints a bleak picture between the two sides at the moment. It appears as if Wolves owner Glen Taylor is not without blame in the recent discussions, though, as Marc Stein of the New York Times notes that a deal would have been done on two occasions if not for Taylor’s veto.
As I and others have reported, Taylor has directly engaged with Miami at least twice on Butler. I wrote Taylor balked twice. Meaning if he said yes either time instead of hesitating, this trade would be done. He held off twice. Then, as @SedanoESPN reported, Thibs asked for more https://t.co/XUDltShXte
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) October 12, 2018
At this point, these trade negotiations are off the rails and it would be easy to believe anything emanating from the entire situation. Still, there is at least faint hope of a deal coming together considering how close a final product seemingly was on multiple occasions and, if Riley and Thibodeau can return to the negotiating table, fireworks could (finally) arrive in the near future.
For now, Butler remains in Minnesota and, eventually, the Wolves have to play games, ostensibly with their All-Star wing in the lineup. Buckle up.
