The Jimmy Butler saga has hovered over the NBA ever since his trade request from the Minnesota Timberwolves became public on the eve of training camp, and there doesn’t appear to be an imminent resolution in talks to send Butler out of Minnesota.



The Timberwolves came close to finalizing a trade with the Miami Heat in early October, exchanging medical paperwork on both Butler and Josh Richardson. A promising two-way player, Richardson, 25, was the centerpiece of the Heat’s proposal. Yet, talks fell apart, and who is to blame for that depends on who you ask.



Would Miami offer Richardson again? In nine games so far this season, Richardson is averaging career-highs in key areas: 21.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.1 blocks per game. He’s four years younger than Butler, is in the first season of a four-year, $42 million contract and has the upside to be an All-Star caliber player.



Then, the Houston Rockets offered a...