Let’s (not) make a deal

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the Timberwolves were very close to trading Jimmy Butler to the Heat this weekend ... but Minnesota pulled the rug out from under Miami at the last minute.

There are a couple of potential explanations at play, all at the same time. Woj reports the Wolves were trying to get a sweeter deal at the last minute, and also that Minnesota’s attempt to clear cap space by trading Gorgui Dieng ran into trouble. Meanwhile, other teams are telling reporters it doesn’t seem like the Wolves actually want to do a deal.

If Minnesota is really jerking around Miami, at some point the Heat might just walk away until the Wolves get serious. If the Wolves wanted what was best for the long-term health of the team, they’d find the best deal available, make it, and move forward with the core they have. The season starts in eight days. Every game counts. It’s not really time to mess around anymore.

On National TV:
Mavericks vs. Sixers, 8 a.m. ET, NBA TV
Wizards vs. Knicks, 7:30 p.m. ET, NBA TV
Suns vs. Warriors, 10:30 p.m. ET, NBA TV

Selections from League Pass:
Magic vs. Heat, 7:30 p.m. ET

The NBA had a preseason game in Seattle on Friday, and it went well, and reportedly expansion is still off the table for a while, but that’s fine, but Breanna Stewart and Jewell Lloyd are well-equipped to carry forward the legacy of Seattle basketball. I still think we need the Sonics back ASAP, though, if for no other reason than to see if Kevin Durant would sign with them at first opportunity. I think he would.

By the way, this timeline shows how relentless Seattle has been in trying to bring the Sonics back for the last decade.

Matt Moore writes that it’s Giannis Antetokounmpo’s time.

Another Mavericks employee faces allegation of improper behavior. This one, however is a friend of Mark Cuban’s who wasn’t named in the big investigatory report. Employees who had complained about him are understandably curious as to why he wasn’t named and why he was, until this news broke, with the team.

Would you believe J.R. Smith and Marcus Smart got into a tussle during a preseason game? Me neither.

I wrote about Karl-Anthony Towns falling far out of favor among NBA general managers and everyone.

Marvin Bagley is also a rapper who doesn’t curse.

Meet college basketball’s nine most important freshmen.

Jared Dudley is the sage of the Nets.

Considering “term limits” for WNBA players’ Team USA/FIBA duty.

Zach Lowe went inside Gordon Hayward’s recovery.

Be excellent to each other.