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Butler, the disgruntled Minnesota Timberwolves
star, requested a trade before finally reporting for the start
of his final season before he hits free agency. Discussions
between Minnesota and Miami reportedly hit a snag last week.
Riley reportedly updated the Heat players on the situation
Sunday.
Heat point guard Goran Dragic told the Miami Herald regarding
Riley's comments, "It calms you down, for sure, a little bit. Of
course, everybody is talking, including me. I just want to focus
on my job. But deep down, it affects you a little bit.
"I want to stay here. I like it, really. So when Pat came after
practice and sat us down and we had a small meeting, he told us
that (the trade talks are off), and you can feel a little bit of
relief. But that doesn't mean in the near future it can't
happen. So we still need to do our job. We still need to be
professionals."
Riley also refuted media reports that indicated he cut off his
talks with Timberwolves coach and president of basketball
operations Tom Thibodeau in a profanity-laced tirade.
In a statement issued Thursday, Riley said: "As to what has been
reported in the past 24 hours, I have too much respect for Tom
Thibodeau and all that he's accomplished in this league. Our
conversations have been nothing but cordial and I have never
used that kind of language in negotiations."
The Heat lost 104-101 at Orlando in their season opener
Wednesday, then won 113-112 at Washington on Thursday.
--Field Level Media
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