Jimmy Butler Trade: Wolves Reportedly Wanted Beal, Holiday Before Accepting Sixers Deal

The Minnesota Timberwolves had their eyes on a number of players before eventually accepting a trade offer for Jimmy Butler from the Philadelphia 76ers.

It was reported in September that Butler wanted out, however, Minnesota would only trade him if they received veterans in return rather than draft picks and young prospects.

In the end, it was Philadelphia who came out with the best offer as their trade package involving Robert Covington, Dario Saric, Jerryd Bayless and a 2022 second-round pick was accepted by the Wolves, who also sent Justin Patton the other way.

It put an end to what has been a two-month-long saga and will finally give Minnesota clarity moving forward, while the Sixers have improved their chances of coming out on top in the Eastern Conference.

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski though, Butler may have gone to a different team if Minnesota's demands were met elsewhere. Wojnarowski reports that the Wolves wanted point guard Bradley Beal in a trade package for Butler, however, the Washington Wizards refused to include him.

In addition, the New Orleans Pelicans refused to deal guard Jrue Holiday or include draft picks in their offer in what became extensive talks with Minnesota over Butler as they looked to add star power in a bid to keep Anthony Davis.

Wojnarowski adds that Minnesota owner Glen Taylor considered firing head coach and president of basketball operations Tom Thibodeau along with general manager Scott Layden in the summer, even before the Butler situation arose.

He is still said to consider possibilities to replace them both as there is "immense pressure" on Minnesota's management structure to see dividends on the Butler trade.

Taylor was previously reported to have wanted Butler traded straight away only for the saga to drag on for another two months as Thibodeau still had faith he could convince the 30-year-old to stay.

In the end, it was to no avail in what would become an embarrassing chapter in the franchise's history.

"He [Thibodeau] underestimated this saga's impact on the rest of the team, especially his young max-contract players, as they watched Thibodeau excuse behavior and beg Butler to play games," Wojnarowski wrote.

With Minnesota now 4-9 to start the season, having lost their last five games in a row, and without a four-time All-Star now, things could get even rockier for Thibodeau even with the Butler saga being over.

Butler averaged 21.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.4 steals in the 10 games he played for Minnesota this season.

With Philadelphia trading for him, they also received his Bird rights, allowing them to offer him a five-year deal worth up to $190 million, should he not use his player option for the 2019/20 season.

While the Marquette graduate could become an unrestricted free agent and join elsewhere once his deal is up, Wojnarowski adds that both parties "fully expect" to reach a deal on a long-term contract in the summer.