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Miami Heat: Jimmy Butler should be Pat Riley’s next – and potentially final – target

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 25: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks to pass the ball during the first half of the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center on December 25, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 25: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks to pass the ball during the first half of the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center on December 25, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images)

With news that Jimmy Butler could be unhappy in Minnesota, he should be Pat Riley’s next – and potentially final – target for the Miami Heat

If Pat Riley is looking for one final star to add to the Miami Heat before calling it a career, he should forget about Kawhi Leonard and focus on Jimmy Butler.

According to a report from the Chicago Sun-Times, Butler is reportedly unhappy with the teammates that he’s playing with in Minnesota, and has “no intention” of signing an extension with the Timberwolves. He’s projected to headline the 2019 NBA Free Agency class.

With every passing day – and report – it’s becoming more and more likely that he’ll test the free agent market next summer, short of him getting moved before then.

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Enter the Miami Heat and Pat Riley.

The play here for Miami won’t be via trade, unless the Wolves really like a package centered around Josh Richardson, Dion Waiters, Justise Winslow and a first-round pick, the Heat don’t have much else to offer.

Hassan Whiteside doesn’t make sense for Minnesota, and I highly doubt they’d take on Goran Dragic, who doesn’t fit their timeline either.

Plus, there’s really no reason for Minnesota to trade Butler – unless there’s much more to this report than has been leaked. Butler hasn’t demanded a trade, and Tom Thibodeau loves him. I don’t think he’d be looking to move him, short of him asking for it.

In all likelihood, the Wolves will ride this season out – unless something drastic changes over the next few months. At the same time, it’s probably best that he doesn’t get shopped right now anyways for the Heat. They’re in salary cap hell and could use a season to open the cap space to add a max player like Butler during the summer.

If we’re playing the probability game, there’s a better chance the Heat can land him in free agency next season (assuming they clear enough space) than they do if he’s shopped on the trade market.

Finding a way to Jimmy Butler should be the focus of the Miami Heat moving forward this summer. One big part of getting there is trying to move Hassan Whiteside, which would clear $27 million off their books.

That’s a huge chunk, but likely won’t be the only move needed. Miami would also need to dump Tyler Johnson, who will likely opt into his $20 million in 2019-20 and possibly Goran Dragic, who is also unlikely to opt out of his $20 million owed in 2019-20.

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Right now, that should be the goal. Moving Dragic shouldn’t be a difficult task, but Whiteside’s value is in the red right now and good luck finding a team taking Johnson without attaching another asset to him.

It won’t be easy, and might be downright impossible, but this is the road back to relevance for the Miami Heat. It’s Jimmy Butler.

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