Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star guard Jimmy Butler has garnered interest from the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Wojnarowski broke the news of the player's trade request late last week and the Timberwolves ownership has since declared the player available. They are now looking to head into negotiations over a suitable package in exchange for their star.
The Cavaliers are the latest team reported to have an interest in signing Butler, with league sources having informed ESPN of intent coming from the likes of the Brooklyn Nets, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, the LA Clippers, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, Portland Trailblazers and Sacramento Kings.
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"Another team pursuing a Jimmy Butler trade with Minnesota: Cleveland. Cavs owner Dan Gilbert was seen talking privately with Glen Taylor at NBA Board of Governors meeting on Friday," Woj reported via Twitter on Sunday. "Both owners played a part in negotiating the Love-Wiggins deal."
The Cavaliers would do well to acquire someone of Butler's status after losing LeBron James to the Los Angeles Lakers in free agency this summer.
Kevin Love, now the team's biggest name, moved from Minnesota four years ago as part of a trade that saw Andrew Wiggins head the other way as a rookie. And it is believed that the relationship between the owners of the two teams could see Butler complete a switch to Cleveland ahead of next season.
The four-time All-Star averaged 22.2 points, 4.9 assists and 2.0 steals per game last season and helped fire the Timberwolves back to the playoffs for the first time in 14 years.
Admittedly, the Cavs aren't in that strong of a position given that their best trade option is rookie guard Collin Sexton, who they selected as the eighth pick in this year's NBA Draft. As to whether or not they would be willing to let him go in order to see Butler join them is something we'll just have to wait on.
The Timberwolves want Butler traded before they start practice on Tuesday and the guard is in no mood to stick around past that date either, so Cleveland would have to move quickly, given the number of suitors interested in the shooting guard.
The player is also set to become a free agent next summer and trading for him would pose a huge risk, yet it's one that the Cavs would probably be happy to take given their current state of affairs.