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Miami Heat: A 3-team Jimmy Butler trade proposition

By Simon Smith

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 01: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on January 1, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 01: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on January 1, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Timberwolves outlook

While Butler is clearly the leading act, the ultimate building blocks of the team are Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins. A restricted free agent at the end of this season, Towns represents a virtual certainty to be signed to a maximum extension when his rookie deal expires at the end of this season. At 22 and having become an All-Star for the first time, Towns is clearly a must-keep.

Then there’s Wiggins, who prior to last season signed a five-year, $146 million contract extension. While he disappointed somewhat as the third option last season following Butler’s arrival, the enormity of his deal means there’s going to be very minimal interest around the league in making this a tradable asset. However, with Towns being 22 and Wiggins just 23, their timeline is clearly not in line with Butler’s in a holistic sense.

In 59 games last year, Butler averaged 22.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 2.0 steals in 36.7 minutes per game. Such was his impact in his first season in Minnesota, the Timberwolves were 12.8 points per 100 possessions better off when Butler was on the floor.

Ultimately, one of the major question marks in pursuing Butler is his physical state.

Last season, Butler missed 23 games overall, primarily due to midseason knee surgery. Having averaged extensive minutes over the past five seasons, it’s no coincidence that he’s missed a combined 76 games over this span.

In desperate need of a star after coming up empty over the past few offseasons, the Heat would appear to be a frontrunner in piquing Butler’s interest.

Firstly, his close friendship with Dwyane Wade is a real selling point. With Wade now finally signing on to finish up one last season, the chance to be handed the keys to the franchise from the greatest player in Heat history would represent a more than tempting proposition for Butler.

Furthermore, there’s Butler’s friendship with players around the league, in particular Kyrie Irving. Also hitting free agency in 2019, Irving’s game and overall appeal would seem a natural fit in Miami.

Thus, the chance to compete for a first-class organisation, combined with the attractions associated with playing in South Beach, all appear to be enormous advantages from the Heat’s perspective.

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