Report: Heat Interested In Acquiring Julius Randle From Timberwolves

According to NBA insider Ian Begley of SNY, the Miami Heat are interested in acquiring Julius Randle from the Minnesota Timberwolves. 

The Timberwolves acquired Randle from the New York Knicks in the blockbuster Karl-Anthony Towns deal, but the team is only 25-21. 

“Keep an eye on Minnesota in a Jimmy Butler deal,” Begley reported. “In the offseason, the Heat were one of the teams that expressed interest in trading for Randle, per SNY sources. Randle has remained on the Heat’s radar during the Butler saga, sources say.”

Butler, who has requested a trade from the Heat, was suspended indefinitely on Monday after walking out of shootaround. The All-Star swingman desperately wants out of Miami. 

Randle is averaging 18.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.2 blocks for the Timberwolves this season while shooting 46.6% from the field, 32.9% from beyond the arc and 81.2% from the free-throw line. The lefty is making $33.1 million. 

A three-time All-Star, Randle has a player option worth $30.9 million for next season. The Kentucky product has career averages of 19.1 points, 9.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.4 blocks with the Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Pelicans, Knicks and Timberwolves. 

Butler is averaging 17.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.4 blocks this season for the Heat while shooting 54.0% from the field, 36.1% from beyond the arc and 80.1% from the free-throw line. 

A Marquette product, Butler is making $48.8 million this season. He has a player option worth $52.4 million for next season. 

Butler has played for the Chicago Bulls, Timberwolves, Philadelphia 76ers and Heat. He has career averages of 18.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.4 blocks. 

The NBA trade deadline is February 6. It will be fascinating to see where Butler ends up.

Butler, who doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract, prefers to get traded to the Phoenix Suns to play with superstars Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, sources told Hoops Wire. 

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