Could the Timberwolves reunite with disgruntled Heat star in blockbuster trade?

Oct 27, 2022; San Francisco, California, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) drives past Golden State Warriors forward Kevon Looney (5) in the fourth quarter at the Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

The Jimmy Butler saga with the Miami Heat seems to finally be reaching a tumultuous endpoint. On Monday, the team announced that they were suspending him indefinitely after he walked out of practice upon learning that he was no longer in the starting five, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.

The Timberwolves could reunite with Jimmy Butler via trade

This is the third time in the past month that the Heat have issued a suspension to the star forward, and it now appears inevitable that he will be traded any day now. SNY’s Ian Begley mentioned one of Butler’s former teams as a team to watch for.

“Keep an eye on Minnesota in a Butler deal,” Begley said. 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. 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.”

Feb 29, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) dribbles the ball up court in the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Butler briefly played with the Minnesota Timberwolves from 2017-18. However, similar to what is occurring in Miami, he stay was short-lived as he essentially forced his way out of town, which led to him being traded to the Philadelphia 76ers before signing with the Heat in 2019.

A reunion in Minnesota could bring back some bad memories from his fiery departure several years ago, but he could also be a crucial piece to turn around the Timberwolves season. Minnesota traded away Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, and it is clear that Randle’s fit on the team is not the best.

Randle has been a weird fit in Minnesota

Randle’s overall numbers are down from the production he provided while with the Knicks, and given that he is set to enter free agency following the season, the Timberwolves need to decide if he is a strong fit for them long-term. If they can get Butler in exchange for Randle, that would be a great way of maximizing Randle’s trade value by acquiring the biggest star available.

Dec 8, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA;  Minnesota Timberwolves forward-center Julius Randle (30) drives to the basket against Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (00) in the first period at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images
Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images

When Butler is playing at his highest level, he can be an unstoppable force on both ends and has proven to be a winning player in the postseason. He and Anthony Edwards could form a star duo that can shift the energy in Minnesota and push them to the playoffs.

Of course, Butler would purely be a rental, as the Wolves are in a tough financial situation with Rudy Gobert’s seemingly unmovable contract. It could also cost them important draft capital that would make such a move a huge risk.

Whether or not the Timberwolves insert themselves into the Butler sweepstakes remains to be seen, but a reunion cannot be ruled out given the impact it could have on the team going forward.

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