NBA Trade Rumors: Cavaliers, Timberwolves Searching For Deals in 2018-2019 Season

Most of the trade rumors during the young 2018-2019 NBA season have involved Jimmy Butler and the Minnesota Timberwolves. There will be plenty of speculation surrounding the Cleveland Cavaliers going forward, as well, now that it’s clear the team is interested in trading their veterans.

Even after losing LeBron James in the offseason, the Cavs planned to compete for a playoff spot this year, signing Kevin Love to a contract extension and holding onto possible trade pieces. That’s changed after a brutal start to the season, making players like Kyle Korver and J.R. Smith available.

Smith has admitted that he wants to be traded since he isn’t getting playing time, though the market might not be very strong for the shooting guard. Korver is more likely to draw interest, and he’s seen his minutes increase in recent games, as a result. According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, the Cavs are showcasing the three-point specialist as they gauge the trade market.

There was interest in Korver from other teams during the summer. The veteran asked to be traded when James signed with the Los Angeles Lakers, according to The Athletic’s Joe Vardon. The report states that Cleveland had previously told Korver he would be traded or bought out if James left.

Korver, 37, is averaging just 5.5 points in 15.5 minutes per game on 48.4 percent shooting. He recorded season-highs against the Detroit Pistons on Oct. 25 by scoring 21 points and going four-of-seven from three-point range in 22 minutes. Korver was one of the Cavs’ best players during last year’s playoff run before scoring just six total points in the NBA Finals.

Cleveland’s 1-8 record is the worst in the NBA.

It’s probably only a matter of time before the Cavs deal Korver. The same could be said for the Timberwolves and Butler, though the matter remains complicated. Minnesota’s asking price is still high, considering Butler has publicly said he wants to be dealt and won’t re-sign with the team next summer.

Butler has missed two of Minnesota’s last three games with “general soreness.” It has come on the heels of a report by The Athletic’s Shams Charania and Jon Krawczynski that stated the shooting guard will sit out games as part of a strategy to get traded. Butler denied the report.

It appeared that Minnesota and the Miami Heat had a deal in place a few weeks ago, but the trade ultimately fell apart. The Timberwolves have also had discussions with the Houston Rockets, who are off to a disappointing start with a 3-5 record.

According to The Athletic’s Kelly Iko, the Timberwolves are adamant about trading Gorgui Dieng in any deal that includes Butler. Dieng is playing less than 15 minutes per game and owed more than $48 million over the next three seasons.

Butler is averaging 22.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. Minnesota is 3-4 with Butler and 1-2 without him.