T-Wolves find taker for Butler
Ex-Aggie Siakam scores a career-high 23 points in Toronto victory
Jimmy Butler has his wish: He’s out of Minnesota.
And just like that, Philadelphia has a new Big Three — one that could make serious noise in the Eastern Conference.
A person with knowledge of the situation said Saturday that Butler is being traded to the 76ers in a package that will send Dario Saric and Robert Covington to the Timberwolves. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the trade had not yet been announced by either team and was still pending NBA approval, which is not expected until Monday.
Justin Patton will also be sent to Philadelphia, and Jerryd Bayless and a 2022 second-round pick are also going to Minnesota, the person said.
Philadelphia’s “Process” led it to the second round of the playoffs last season behind two of the game’s youngest, brightest stars in big man Joel Embiid and point guard Ben Simmons. Butler, an elite wing and outstanding defender, will join them in a quest to rule the Eastern Conference now that LeBron James has left that league to join the Los Angeles Lakers following eight straight trips to the NBA Finals with Miami and Cleveland.
The first order of business will be making the trade official, something that could come in time to get Butler in uniform for a game at Miami on Monday. The next step for Philadelphia will be coming to an agreement on an extension for Butler, a pending free agent who made clear to Minnesota that he would not be re-signing there in 2019.
RAPTORS 28, KNICKS 112: In Toronto, former New Mexico State Aggie Pascal Siakam scored a career-high 23 points, Jonas Valanciunas had 19 points and 10 rebounds and the Raptors improved their league-leading record to 12-1.
Toronto’s Nick Nurse became the first coach to win 12 of his first 13 games since Lawrence Frank started 13-0 with the New Jersey Nets in 2004.
WARRIORS 116, NETS 100: In Oakland, Calif., Kevin Durant had 28 points and 11 assists, Quinn Cook scored a seasonhigh 27 in place of injured Stephen Curry, and Golden State used another big run in the third quarter to beat Brooklyn.
CLIPPERS 128, BUCKS 126, OT: In Los Angeles, Lou Williams hit a jumper with .3 seconds remaining in overtime, lifting the Clippers to the victory.
Boban Marjanovic intercepted Giannis Antetokounmpo’s inbounds pass as time expired, sending the Bucks to just their third loss in 12 games.
GRIZZLIES 112, 76ERS 106 (OT): In Memphis, Tenn., Mike Conley scored a season-high 32 points, including 21 after halftime, as the Grizzlies defeated the shorthanded Philadelphia in overtime.
BULLS 99, CAVALIERS 98: In Chicago, Zach LaVine scored 24 points, rookie Ryan Arcidiacono added 15 and the Bulls rebounded after blowing an early 16-point lead to edge Cleveland.
Wendell Carter Jr. also had 15 points as Chicago won for the second time in six games. SPURS 96, ROCKETS 89: In San Antonio, LaMarcus Aldridge had 27 points and 10 rebounds and the Spurs held on to beat Houston.
DeMar DeRozan had a season-low 13 points, but added 11 rebounds in 39 minutes as San Antonio snapped a two-game skid.
WIZARDS 116, HEAT 110: In Miami, John Wall scored 28 points, Jeff Green had 19 and 10 rebounds, and Washington ran away in the fourth quarter to beat the Heat.
Bradley Beal and Austin Rivers each scored 18 points for the Wizards, who won for only the third time in 12 games to start the season.
PELICANS 119, SUNS 99: In New Orleans, Anthony Davis had 26 points and 12 rebounds to help the Pelicans beat Phoenix.
Julius Randle added 22 points and 16 rebounds, and New Orleans never trailed in winning its second straight game after a six-game losing streak.
LAKERS 101, KINGS 86: In Sacramento, Calif., LeBron James scored 25 points and Kentavipous Caldwell Pope and Josh Hart combined for 22 off the bench as Los Angeles beat the Kings.