crazy-canuck wrote:"Thibodeau has reportedly not been as involved in trade discussions, as Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor told the Minneapolis Star Tribune he has asked Thibodeau to focus on his coaching duties.
Taylor and Wolves general manager Scott Layden are handling the trade talks, Taylor said."
http://amicohoops.net/nba-rumors-miami-heat-minnesota-timberwolves-jimmy-butler/
Glad to see that Miami has re-opened talks with the Wolves. And I'm glad Thibodeau's not very involved. Thibodeau clearly wants to keep Butler and simply won't deal Butler if left to his own devices. I'd really like to believe the Wolves are also engaged in talks with the Sixers and Celtics, but nothing has been reported to suggest that's happening.
If we assume the report was true that Miami was willing to trade Richardson, their 2019 first round pick and Waiters for Butler, then the fact that Miami is re-engaging with the Wolves suggests they're now willing to improve their offer. From the beginning I've always thought Miami would be the Wolves most likely trading partner for Butler. And the Houston offer, coupled with the early success of some Eastern Conference teams, has to have re-ignited or turned up Pat Riley fire for acquiring Butler.
I'd love to know what Miami is now offering. I recall the report said that the prior deal fell apart when Thibodeau called Riley and insisted on getting another first round draft pick. That would have to be their 2023 pick because Miami has already traded its 2021 pick. I wonder if Miami is now willing to include that extra pick. If so, you'd think the Wolves would take the deal since that was the extra piece the Wolves wanted that tanked the deal the last time. Or maybe Miami is now offering to include Adebayo. Or maybe they're offering Olynyk instead of Waiters. Or maybe they're offering Whiteside and Richardson for Butler and Gorgui.
I continue to believe Butler will be traded to Miami with an outside chance that Washington, Boston or the Sixers step in to the fray and end up getting him.