But is there a deal for Butler that you think president Pat Riley should reject?
Ebrahim: Only person on the team I think is untouchable is Bam Adebayo. Yes, Richardson has a beautiful long-term contract, but if worse comes to worse, I wouldn’t be opposed to trading him. I definitely think that giving up Justise Winslow, James or Tyler Johnson, Hassan Whiteside, Goran Dragic, or Dion Waiters would be ideal, specifically if the team can reduce the amount of long-term contracts on hand. If a team like the Sacramento Kings can get involved and steal Gorgui Dieng from the Minnesota Timberwolves instead of the Heat picking up that burden, I’d even throw in a first rounder. With Butler around, that pick will be somewhere in the 20’s. In the end, if Butler dons a Miami Heat jersey and is playing with Adebayo, Olynyk, and Richardson, I’d be a very happy camper.
Gewirtz: Riley should reject any deal that involves trading Richardson, Winslow or any other young player for that matter. While I know some Heat fans are willing to give up just about anything for Butler, I don’t see it as a smart move for the Heat. It sounds like the Timberwolves and Tom Thibodeau are being pretty picky — they apparently even asked the Philadelphia 76ers for Ben Simmons. If the Timberwolves are asking for any of the young players, it seems like a no-go to me. As the days go by, I start to believe more and more that this is a multi-team trade, which I think would actually help work out a better deal.