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A few days before the start of Tuesday's training camp, the Miami Heat is in the middle of commercial speculation.
The Heat was eagerly pursuing an exchange with Minnesota Timberwolves' unhappy goalkeeper, Jimmy Butler, targeting a player who has long been a favorite of the organization, according to several league sources.
Pat Riley, president of the heat, and coach Erik Spoelstra have always admired Butler, not only because of his offensive play, but also because of his competitive nature and his strong defensive skills. seasons.
The Heat told the teams this season off that Hassan Whiteside, Tyler Johnson and Dion Waiters are available, according to two opposing front-line executives, who spoke about the Heat. But the Heat knows a different mix of more attractive players will be needed to push Butler, who averaged 22.2 points per game for Minnesota last season.
The Heat has been very reluctant this season with Josh Richardson and Bam Adebayo, and it is not certain that Miami is ready to include Richardson in an agreement for Butler. (Miami's preference would be not to include Richardson.)
Miami also prefers to keep Kelly Olynyk. But Justise Winslow could be put in play because of questions about whether the Heat will keep him going into free agency next summer. Winslow and The Heat are not near a contract extension, with a deadline in mid-October imminent, and a GM has announced that it could get a contract starting at $ 9 million in a new contract.
As of Sunday afternoon, there was no contact between Heat's camp and Butler and there was no indication that the Timberwolves were about to allow Butler to talk with other teams. But, according to ESPN, Riley pursued Butler as aggressively as any front-office officer.
Butler asked for an exchange with Timberwolves earlier this month, with ESPN reporting its initial three-team list including the Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Clippers and New York Knicks.
Butler will win $ 20.4 million this season and has a $ 19.8 million player option in 2019-20. He should decline the option and become a free agent, which would give him the weight to request an exchange to a team he would renew next summer.
Outside the free season, Butler could be allowed to sign a $ 190 million, five-year contract extension with the Timberwolves or any other team he traded to. He can sign a $ 141 million four-year contract with a new free agency team.
Although the Heat does not have limited space until the 2020 off season, any team that trades for Butler will also earn bird rights. The rights of birds allow a team to exceed the salary cap to sign a player again.
The Heat will hold its annual press day Monday at the AmericanAirlines Arena before opening its training camp on Tuesday at the FAU.
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