Report: Rockets, 76ers, Raptors among teams interested in Butler trade

Jimmy Butler's seemingly imminent exit from the Minnesota Timberwolves is already attracting a slew of suitors.

The Brooklyn Nets, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, and Portland Trail Blazers are among the teams considering a possible deal for Butler, league sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Wojnarowski later reported the Cleveland Cavaliers are another team interested in potentially acquiring Butler. He notes owner Dan Gilbert had spoken privately with his Timberwolves counterpart Glen Taylor during Friday's Board of Governors meeting.

According to 5 Eyewitness News' Darren Wolfson, the Toronto Raptors have also reportedly expressed some interest in a trade for Butler.

Interest from the Nets and Clippers is buoyed by the reported revelation that they, along with the Knicks, were on Butler's supposed three-team wish list. The Clippers, however, are said to be his preferred destination.

While Butler is likely to enter free agency next summer courtesy of a player option for the 2019-20 season, Wojnarowski reports teams are willing to trade for the four-time All-Star without a guarantee that he will re-sign with them.

It's been reported that Butler formally requested a trade from Minnesota last week, but his exit arguably took the biggest step toward fruition late Saturday when the Timberwolves signed center Karl-Anthony Towns to a $190-million super-max extension. While Towns apparently was not the main reason behind Butler's trade request, the 29-year-old swingman was reported in July to be "fed up" with the big man, as well as teammate Andrew Wiggins.

Following the news of Towns' reported extension, a report from The Athletic revealed Taylor is now focused on trading away Butler as his organization's next move, and instructed president Tom Thibodeau and general manager Scott Layden to find a deal quickly.