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Minnesota Timberwolves: 5 predictions for the 2018-19 NBA season

By James Grieco

HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 25: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves speaks to the media after Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Houston Rockets during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 25, 2018 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 25: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves speaks to the media after Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Houston Rockets during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 25, 2018 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

5. Jimmy Butler will end up in Miami

The New York Times’ Marc Stein reported last week that Butler had switched his focus from New York or Los Angeles to Miami. Considering there were multiple reports about the Miami Heat pushing hardest to get a deal done, that makes sense.

The New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers have all been nonchalant in their pursuit of Butler, with The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor reporting that the Nets aren’t even willing to include Caris LeVert in a deal. There has been absolutely no talk of the Knicks engaging in serious negotiations with the Wolves and the Clippers made Shai Gilgeous-Alexander untouchable from the outset, per ESPN’s Zach Lowe.

Even with Butler’s newfound desire to go to South Beach and some alluring pieces, a deal remains in limbo. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski has said the Wolves’ asking price is too high, with Zach Lowe adding:

A ballyhoo was made over the Wolves reportedly asking the Philadelphia 76ers for Ben Simmons in the O’Connor podcast, but despite Tom Thibodeau’s flaws and his obvious preference to keep Butler, he is not an idiot.

It’s extraordinarily likely that opposing front offices are exaggerating the situation in Minnesota to gain more leverage in trade talks. Yes, owner Glen Taylor and president of basketball operations/head coach Tom Thibodeau probably don’t agree on this matter, but they need to get a salvageable deal to actually trade Butler; giving him away for another team’s scraps won’t help.

The sticking point in trade talks with the Heat seems to be small forward Josh Richardson, who is on a team-friendly, four-year, $42 million deal. He has untapped upside and would fill a position of need for Minnesota.

The preseason has already begun and Minnesota isn’t panicking to make a deal (which is a good thing). This standoff may actually last into the start of the regular season, but I believe the Heat will eventually cave and package Richardson and one of their bad contracts (likely Tyler Johnson or Dion Waiters) to bring Butler aboard.

Whether the Timberwolves will be able to get Gorgui Dieng off their books in this deal remains to be seen. They could always swing something with the Sacramento Kings, who are the only team with the space to take Dieng, after the fact. In any case, by November 1, Jimmy Butler will likely be on the Heat.

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