Jimmy Butler wanted the Miami Heat to trade him to the Phoenix Suns at the deadline this year. The Golden State Warriors made a push for Butler. However, he made it clear on February 3 that if Miami traded him to the Warriors, he would not sign an extension with them.
Four days later, the Heat traded Butler to Golden State, and he signed a two-year extension.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are pushing for Kevin Durant and running into a similar roadblock. Could all of it change if the Wolves trade for him anyway?
This situation with the Wolves and their interest in acquiring Durant reeks of exactly what the Warriors went through in acquiring Butler and signing him to an extension.
Butler had a list with Phoenix at the top, but ended up with the Warriors.
Durant wants to go to San Antonio, Houston, and Miami, but could end up elsewhere.
Elsewhere includes Minnesota.
Reports indicate Phoenix wants to take the best deal it gets for Durant instead of solely catering to the veteran’s wishes. If both sides can get what they desire, all the merrier.
Minnesota could throw a wrench into the win-win outcome for the moment by still pushing for Durant even if he’s made it clear he doesn’t want to go to the Wolves.
That idea stems from Shams Charania’s report on Monday.
I’m told Durant has no desire to be in Minnesota with the Timberwolves. So, how does that shape how the Minnesota Timberwolves and other teams, that could have interest, that are outside his preferred list, decide how to move forward with these Durant discussions.
Charania also noted the Suns are motivated to find the best deal.
After appearing in back-to-back conference finals with a superstar on the rise in Anthony Edwards, Minnesota should be an appealing option to someone like Durant. One could argue that the Wolves are a Durant away from taking the crown away from the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference and claiming a title.
The cost would be steep and would likely revolve around trading Rudy Gobert and Donte DiVincenzo. If the Suns are willing to play ball, can the Wolves convince Durant to ink an extension like the Warriors did with Butler?
Taking on Durant for just one year, knowing what the Wolves would have to give up, would be a foolish mistake. Minnesota would essentially create a one-year window to win it all before Durant departed in free agency next summer.
However, Durant’s lack of desire to go to Minnesota shouldn’t derail the Wolves’ plans.
On Monday, Brian Windhorst reported that the Wolves have been the most aggressive team trying to get Durant.
From what I understand, the three teams on Durant’s list, Miami, San Antonio, and Houston, have not made offers that have gotten Phoenix excited to this point, Windhorst reported Monday. To this point is very important. Minnesota was aggressive at midseason, and Minnesota, from what I understand, has been the most aggressive team in these trade talks… I would say right now, if I had to put a favorite, I definitely think Minnesota is the team that’s been most aggressive.
Does all of this not remind everyone of what just took place in February with Butler?
Miami and the Warriors called Butler’s bluff when he and his representation said he wouldn’t sign an extension with Golden State if the Heat traded him there.
Minnesota and Phoenix could follow a similar path, or, as Jon Krawczynski reported, the Wolves could stay hopeful that Durant changes his mindset.
The Suns have made it clear to Durant’s camp that they need to prioritize the best return for the team in a deal. What’s more, they appear focused on landing the kind of impact players who can help now as opposed to prioritizing draft picks… With the offers from the Spurs, Rockets and Heat coming up short to this point, league sources say the Suns are still hopeful that Durant might warm to the Timberwolves possibility.
In an ever-changing environment, the Wolves have the wrong thought process if they mail it in on the Durant front because of what his representation is saying. If Phoenix’s goal is to get the best package they can, and that offer comes from the Wolves, things will get interesting.
If Durant’s goal is to win a title or continue title chasing, it’s hard to say any of his preferred options are better set up than the Wolves are with Edwards. However, if Durant’s goal is to end up in a state with no income tax and cash in on what will likely be his last NBA deal, then having two teams from Texas and one from Florida on his list makes a lot of sense.
Minnesota’s front office shouldn’t be discouraged by recent developments and reports. For their own motivation, the Wolves can just look back to February and how the Warriors worked things out with Butler when it seemed like a long shot.