NBA Rumors: Jimmy Butler Trade Talks Still Going Between The Miami Heat And Minnesota Timberwolves?

After plenty of chatter — some of it perhaps laced with profanity — it appears as though the Minnesota Timberwolves and Miami Heat may at least be temporarily done talking about a trade for swingman Jimmy Butler.

Reports that talks were ongoing about the disgruntled veteran may have been premature. Longtime Heat beat reporter Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel on Friday claimed that sources said the Heat "are not trying to re-engage" in trade talks for Butler.

Yet Winderman also claims that "the process, however, seemingly remains fluid in light of Butler's recent behavior and comments."

Butler has not been shy about expressing himself in recent days, openly ripping general manager Scott Layden and star teammates Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins.

With Layden present during Butler's first practice, sources said that the All-Star yelled: "You f---ing need me, Scott. You can't win without me." The outburst led to Butler calling for a players-only meeting.

Multiple reports also cited sources that Butler yelled, “They ain’t s---!” in reference to Towns and Wiggins. The outbursts clearly point to a player who feels the organization isn't doing enough to facilitate a deal.

Butler, who will be a free agent at the end of the season, asked for a trade in September and has included the Heat as one of his preferences.

However, the Timberwolves have asked for a lot in return for the 29-year-old. ESPN's NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski has reported that Minnesota has sought "quality veterans, top prospects, future assets and salary-cap relief."

The saga has also included Heat President Pat Riley formally denying a report he directed profanity at Wolves head coach Tom Thibodeau during trade talks.

"As to what has been reported in the past 24 hours, I have too much respect for Tom Thibodeau and all that he’s accomplished in this league," Riley said of the Timberwolves coach and team president. "Our conversations have been nothing but cordial and I have never used that kind of language in negotiations, but I do admit to telling Danny Ainge to..."

The ellipsis seemingly suggests that Riley, whose issues with Boston Celtics general manager date back to when Riley was the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers and while Ainge was a player, has used harsh language in talks with Ainge in the past.