As Butler trade watch continues, team looks to Wiggins to fill role

MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - The Timberwolves are still weighing trade options for Jimmy Butler.

It was originally reported that Butler was looking to move to the LA Clippers, the New York Knicks or Brooklyn Nets, but there are reports the Miami Heat want Butler as well. The New York Times reports Miami is a destination Butler would be interested in for the long term.

Butler has not been with the team since last week when he informed the Timberwolves of his desire to be traded. He did not attend Media Day earlier this week.

The Wolves held practice Wednesday. They will practice again on Wednesday before heading to the San Francisco Bay Area to play the Golden State Warriors in a preseason game.

If a Butler trade goes down, Andrew Wiggins could be the player expected to fill that hole – a role his team mates believe he can handle.

“The workload is going to get even more harder for you, but I feel like Wig did a good job last year, especially when Jimmy went down,” said Wolves forward Taj Gibson. “I feel like he’s been doing a great job since the last two days of camp – just demanding the ball, hitting great shots, being real physical – but that’s just things we’ve always counted on him doing. I think he’s been doing a good job. He’s just got to keep improving and we got his back.”

The regular season starts Wednesday Oct. 17 in San Antonio.