The Miami Heat's attempt to land star swingman Jimmy Butler from the Minnesota Timberwolves fell through at the 11th hour, with the deal being on the brink of completion before falling apart.
According to ESPN's NBA guru Adrian Wojnarowski, who quotes league sources, the Timberwolves had already shared the player's medical info with the Heat late last week, usually one of the final steps involved in getting a trade over the line.
Both team owners were said to have gotten involved in talks over the deal and had hoped to secure an exchange of signatures before the beginning of another week. However, Minnesota suggested a change in the "framework" of the trade which led to an impasse on Saturday
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Butler, who played for the Chicago Bulls before moving to Minnesota last year, requested a trade around three weeks ago. Miami is the player's preferred destination and the Heat were working night and day to land him.
The likes of Dion Waiters, Tyler Johnson and Justise Winslow were all reported as being potential trade pieces for Pat Riley. And Josh Richardson, whom the Heat are keen to hold on to but are also willing to move if it comes to that, was listed as well.
Per Wojnarowski, the parties had discussed deals which included a third team to help with salary. But they had also looked into the possibility of a direct trade.
Miami even went back on their stance over Richardson in an attempt to sweeten the pot for the Timberwolves, yet the Western Conference side looked to milk the opportunity even more, leading to the breakdown in talks.
It is expected that discourse will resume between the Heat and Timberwolves but they will have to start from scratch. It was also noted that Minnesota isn't engaged in serious talks with any other teams.
Miami's willingness to hand Butler a five-year contract worth around $190 million next year was a major motivating factor for the player, whose Bird rights they wish to acquire in the trade, even if it means going over their salary cap to re-sign him at the end of the season.