NBA Trade Rumors: Where Is Jimmy Butler Headed? A Look At The 3 Teams With The Best Chance To Land Guard

All signs point to a blockbuster trade involving Minnesota Timberwolves swingman Jimmy Butler. However, there are many wrinkles to how the Butler Saga can play out, specifically where he might end up and when he might be dealt.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Butler, who will be an unrestricted free agent in the offseason, will not attend Timberwolves' media day Monday "and won't be participating at the start of training camp Tuesday," perhaps suggesting that he won't play with the team at any point in 2018-19.

Butler, who turned 29 on Sept. 14, is most keen on a move to the Los Angeles Clippers, according to Wojnarowski. The New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets are also potential destinations, and all three teams have salary-cap space to sign him in the summer to a maximum contract worth $188 million.

The Clippers, a team in transition after trading Blake Griffin in January, can afford to add two maximum contracts. Kawhi Leonard, an L.A. native who recently was dealt from the San Antonio Spurs to the Toronto Raptors, is believed to be another Clipper target.

The Knicks and Nets provide the allure of playing in New York, but both clubs have had plenty of struggles over the years. The Knicks have won just one playoff series since 2000, while the Nets have only won one playoff series since 2007.

The two teams have kept a watchful eye on the summer free agents, which include Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson.

In August, ESPN's forecast panel listed the Knicks at a 42.4-percent chance to having Butler on the roster in 2019-2020. The Los Angeles Lakers were second at 21.1 percent. There are eight teams with a 3 percent chance, which included the Nets and Clippers.

There may be some thought that Irving, who is coming off his first season with the Boston Celtics, and Butler are a package deal for the Knicks. The ESPN forecast panel listed the Knicks at 46.9 percent and the Celtics at 43.8 percent to land Irving.

But there might be some hangups in how Butler gets dealt before he files for free agent next year. The Timberwolves would prefer to add big man Gorgui Dieng, who is owed $48 million over the next three seasons, in any trade for Butler, according to Zach Lowe of ESPN. Most teams would reject such an offer, but Minnesota may feel there are teams willing to maneuver to make such a deal happen.

Head coach and President of Basketball Operations Tom Thibodeau reportedly wants to hold onto Butler this season but appears to have been overridden by owner Glen Taylor. There were early reports that Taylor wanted to hold onto Butler, but Wojnarowski reported that Taylor will now listen to offers.

There had been reports that there was tension between Butler and young big man Karl-Anthony Towns, who is seeking a lucrative contract of his own.

A four-time All-Star, Butler is a high scorer and a tenacious defender. After spending his entire career with the Chicago Bulls and mostly under Thibodeau, Butler was traded to the Timberwolves in June 2017. He went on to average 22.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.9 assists in 59 games for the Timberwolves.