NBA Roundtable: Jimmy Butler, the Warriors and the Beasts of the East

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MIAMI, FL – OCTOBER 30: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on during a game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on October 30, 2017 in Miami, Florida. 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 Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

What team will Jimmy Butler finish the season with?

Daniel Schmahl, Contributor: Minnesota Timberwolves. Although there’s an evident disconnect between Butler and upper management, I can’t see Tom Thibodeau giving away his best player for 50 cents on the dollar in the final year of his contract as coach/President of Basketball Operations.

The Wolves have the talent to win 50-plus games in a loaded West, and if they were in a rush to get rid of Jimmy, they would have by now. I bet they play the year out and roll the dice on Butler re-signing next summer, a la Oklahoma City with Paul George last season.

Brandon Osborne, Contributor: The Miami Heat. The Heat have been linked to Butler for quite some time and I feel that soon the Timberwolves give in and trade Butler. This relationship is beyond repair and the Timberwolves would be wise to end this now then allow him to cause more issues in the locker room.

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Jacob Doole, Contributor: The Miami Heat. It’s hard to imagine Pat Riley not making a trade work once he’s set his mind to it. It’s also hard to imagine Tom Thibodeau can continue to undermine his team’s owner and get away with it. Something has to give, and this seems like the path of least resistance.

Justise Winslow’s recent contract extension seemingly rules him out of the trade, but the Heat still
have enough assets to put together an enticing package. The Timberwolves reportedly covet a
number of Miami’s players and picks, with Josh Richardson and Bam Adebayo repeatedly mentioned in recent talks.

Those two plus some ancillary pieces might be enough if Minnesota gets desperate. When that happens, you just know Pat Riley will be the first person on the phone.

John Butler, Contributor: Jimmy Butler will end the season with the Miami Heat. Coach Thibodeau will attempt to play peacemaker and patch things up in Minnesota, but the damage is already done. With one year left on his contract, the Timberwolves don’t want to jeopardize losing Butler to free agency and gaining nothing in return.

Heat president Pat Riley is no stranger to swooping in to make a deal for disgruntled players. Shaq came to Miami on the heels of his beef with Kobe in L.A. Sure the Timberwolves want fair compensation for the perennial All-Star, but between Jimmy Butler’s outbursts and statements made by owner Glen Tayler, I highly doubt that it will happen. Aside from being an elite NBA player, Butler’s gritty demeanor is a perfect fit for the culture of the Heat organization.

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