NBA Trade Rumors: Wolves' Julius Randle on Heat's Radar Amid Jimmy Butler Buzz

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle could be part of an eventual trade involving Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler.

Randle drew Miami's interest last offseason and "has remained on the Heat's radar" since then, according to SNY's Ian Begley.

Begley wrote:

According to reports, the Suns and/or Heat have talked to several teams about a three, four, or five-team deal involving Butler.

Keep an eye on Minnesota in a Butler deal. In the offseason, the Heat were one of the teams that expressed interest in trading for Julius Randle, per SNY sources. Randle has remained on the Heat's radar during the Butler saga, sources say.

I don't know if there are any active trade talks between Minnesota and Miami. But the two teams have been in touch on Butler trades.

Butler is currently suspended at least until the trade deadline as the Heat seek a trade for the discontented star.

The Suns are reportedly interested in Butler, but would need to trade Bradley Beal in order to take on Butler's salary. That means the trade would likely need to involve at least one additional team due to the Heat's reported disinterest in Beal's contract.

Any Beal trade would be additionally complicated by the fact that he would need to waive his no-trade clause in order to leave Phoenix.

Begley's report coincides with ESPN's Brian Windhorst saying on SportsCenter that the Suns have tried to set up deals involving as many as five teams, "but have not been able to overcome the fact that what they've really got to trade is Bradley Beal."

"And so now I do believe this is going to bring in some other teams," Windhorst said. "We could see some surprising moves in this in this little battle in the next couple of days."

The veteran forward, acquired from the New York Knicks as part of the three-team Karl-Anthony Towns trade in October, is playing on a potentially expiring contract, Randle has a $30.9 million player option for 2025-26.

Begley previously reported in September that the Heat, alongside the Detroit Pistons and Atlanta Hawks, had talked with the Knicks about a potential trade for Randle ahead of the Towns deal.

The Heat could have room to acquire Randle if they are able to move Butler's $48.8 million salary off their books— but trading Butler by the Feb. 6 deadline could ultimately hinge on the Suns' ability to move Beal's contract.