Jimmy Butler’s wish apparently won’t come true after all.
Miami Heat president Pat Riley told the team’s players Thursday he was “pulling the plug” on a potential trade for the Minnesota Timberwolves swingman, according to The South Florida Sun Sentinel’s Ira Winderman. Rumors linking Butler to the Heat have swirled for weeks, and Riley addressed the speculation with his players prior to their season-opening win over the Washington Wizards,
Heat confirm that Pat Riley addressed his players about Jimmy Butler trade rumors and told them, "I'm pulling the plug." But he did not tell them anything about standing by his young players. Rather, made them aware of process.
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) October 18, 2018
Riley's comments to his players came recently on Heat practice court, essentially displeased that his players names had come out in trade rumors. It was characterized as an explanation of the due diligence required of the team. https://t.co/TmDEUfDQVa
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) October 19, 2018
The Heat reportedly are Butlers’ preferred trade destination, but reports suggest Miami has struggled to land him because of the Timberwolves’ steep and ever-shifting asking price. Nevertheless Heat players like Josh Richardson and Dion Waiters might have become unsettled after seeing their names included in trade rumors.
With Miami seemingly out of the running for a potential trade, Butler appears set to remain with the Timberwolves under terms of their shaky truce for the foreseeable future.
