As Jimmy Butler's departure draws nearer, the Miami Heat express interest in the Minnesota Timberwolves starter.

NBA Rumors: As Jimmy Butler's departure draws nearer, the Miami Heat express interest in the Minnesota Timberwolves starter.

With Jimmy Butler's departure from the Miami Heat seems certain, the organization is starting to consider possible replacements.

Butler was given another suspension by the Heat after leaving practice early prior to their triumph over the Orlando Magic.

Following a lot of back and forth, NBA analyst Brian Windhorst disclosed that the Heat have reduced their asking price for Butler in an effort to put an end to the contentious situation.

Although Butler has been connected to a number of teams, the Phoenix Suns seem like a likely destination. The organization is searching for a successor in the Minnesota Timberwolves since Butler is leaving Miami.

Julius Randle is of interest to the Miami Heat.
To the delight of supporters, Haywood Highsmith was given a starting role while Butler was out, although it is unclear if he would be considered a permanent successor.

The Suns are eager to trade Butler, thus a move for Bradley Beal has long been reported. However, any deal is complicated by Beal's no-trade clause.

This season, Tyler Herro has been a standout player for the Heat, and his performances amid the Butler turmoil have not gone ignored.

Herro has expressed publicly his desire to deliver a championship to Miami, and it's possible that the team's interest in Julius Randle will help them do so in the future.

The Heat have shown interest in acquiring Randle, according to NBA Insider Ian Begley, who stated: "Watch Minnesota in a Butler deal." According to SNY sources, the Heat were among the teams that indicated interest in making a trade for Julius Randle during the offseason.

According to reports, Randle has continued to be considered by the Heat throughout the Butler drama. I'm not aware of any ongoing trade negotiations between Miami and Minnesota. However, the two teams have communicated regarding Butler trades.

What the Heat could get from Randle.

Randle has only been with the Timberwolves since the Knicks acquired Karl-Anthony Towns' skills in a summer trade, but he has undoubtedly had some early difficulties.

Randle has publicly acknowledged how difficult it has been to adjust to his new team, and his decline in overall numbers points to that.

After averaging 24-9-5 with the Knicks, the 30-year-old is now averaging 18-7-4 this season.

Chandler Parsons clarified that Randle will find it difficult to overcome the perception that he is the face of the unsuccessful Towns deal.

Randle would undoubtedly bring some quality to the Heat, even though he is having trouble settling in at Minnesota. It's a big benefit that he can play both forward and center with ease.

He will undoubtedly be more physically present around the paint than Jimmy, but he is not as much of a playmaker as Butler.

He would offer excellent quality as a forward, enabling coach Spoelstra to play with a larger lineup, something he has been experimenting with in recent games, even if the Heat already have Bam Adebayo as a powerful center and Kel'el Ware as a young potential.