NBA News Round-Up, Oct. 3: Latest in Jimmy Butler Trade Request Saga; KD to New York?

At the time of writing (Oct. 4), we are just under two weeks away from the NBA's 2018-19 season opener in Boston and Oakland respectively. And as happy as we are that the world's best basketball league is up and running again, it's not too harsh to say that a majority of the preseason action is unwatchable.

That's the case every year and not just this season.

Having said that, the NBA is never short of any news. Other than August, the league, in this age of social media, has something to offer almost every day. And Wednesday (Oct. 3) was no different. Although headlined by the ongoing Jimmy Butler saga in Minnesota, there were few small and big notable headlines across the league that made noise.

Here's a recap of all of that:

Dirk Nowitzki could be out for weeks with a foot injury

Dirk Nowitzki at the 2018 Dallas Mavericks Media Day

By featuring in the 2018-19 season, Dirk Nowitzki will hold the record for the most NBA seasons with a single franchise (21) but that 21st campaign probably might not start on opening night. He is slated to miss 'weeks" as he continues to deal with some soreness in his left foot.

In China, on Wednesday, the Dallas Mavericks' coach Rick Carlisle said "He [Nowitzki] won't do anything on this trip", per the Dallas Morning News' Eddie Sefko. He further added:

"I can't give you any kind of a soft timeline. It's weeks, not days, as far as getting on the court for live action. He is making gradual progress. We're just not at a point where we can talk about a hard timeline."

Yes, he's 40 but Nowitzki has been quite durable in the twilight of his career, having played more than 75 games in four of the last five seasons. As things stand right now, he isn't confirmed to play in the team's season opener against the Phoenix Suns on Oct. 17

Heat & Wolves Nearly Agreed On Trade

Jimmy Butler

He didn't drop a bomb but ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, in a report released late on Wednesday, provided huge insight into the current situation between Jimmy Butler and the Minnesota Timberwolves.

According to the report, the franchise has been in talks with the Miami Heat for close to two weeks but both parties have failed to reach on an agreement on any deal. The Heat was among Butler's preferred few destinations when he requested for a trade close to a couple of weeks back.

Woj's report, that was released a few hours ago, further states that Minnesota's preferences from the Heat are Josh Richardson, Bam Adebayo, and a protected 2019 first-round pick. More players could be added to the possible final trade but the talks have hit a snag according to Marc Stein of the New York Times:

The Wolves and Heat were making significant progress on a Jimmy Butler trade this week, league sources say, before deal changes proposed by Minnesota led to a breakdown in talks

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) October 4, 2018

The trade talk aside, the ESPN report by Woj also suggested that Butler had no intention of missing any regular season games for the Timberwolves if no trade deal is agreed upon.

KD to New York?

Kevin Durant at the 2018 Golden State Warriors Media Day

Ever since he joined the Golden State Warriors in the summer of 2016, Kevin Durant has always signed a 1+1 deal (player option on the second year). It allows him to opt out of the second year and structure the new deal as per his or the team's convenience. In 2017, he took a huge discount to allow the team to sign Andre Iguodala.

This summer, although he didn't sign a max deal again, he didn't take any huge discounts this time - 2 years (1+1), $61.5 million.

This deal technically makes him a free agent in 2019 and his case to leave Golden State is stronger than past seasons, especially with all the success he has tasted in his two seasons so far. In addition, here is Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, somebody who follows the Warriors very closely, on the topic:

"New York Knicks have a very good shot at luring KD away from the Bay Area. ... The same allure that LeBron had towards the Los Angeles Lakers, just the building, the culture, is the same way I know that KD feels about the Knicks." — @ChrisBHaynes pic.twitter.com/u0sFhPdVXR

— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) October 3, 2018

Damian Lillard shares take on JR Smith's tattoo fine

JR Smith at the 2018 Cleveland Cavaliers Media Day

This story was doing the rounds a couple of days back where in the league office had asked JR Smith to cover his tattoo of the clothing brand Supreme, something he got inked over the summer.

Now, this is not the league being a police. These are just the rules. No players are allowed to display any commercial logos or insignia on their bodies on in their hair, according to ESPN's Darren Rovell.

Smith initially mentioned not listening to the league but then took a step back, apparently after receiving a call from the Players' Union.

"I'm not giving them money that could go to my kids,'' Smith told ESPN. "I was looking into (my rights), but the players' association just texted me, and you know what? I'm not going to put money in their pockets. Not a chance."

He has now decided to cover it up. But Portland All-Star Damian Lillard did have something to say about the matter:

Jr Smith really gone get fined for showing his tat? They own his body ?

— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) October 3, 2018