Disgruntled all-star guard Jimmy Butler requested a trade three weeks ago, but the Minnesota Timberwolves have yet to find a suitable suitor. Butler missed the last preseason game on Friday, but he is expected to start for the Timberwolves in their season opener against San Antonio on Wednesday.
Butler practiced with the team on Sunday. Head coach Tom Thibodeau said that Butler will suit up for the Timberwolves in the first game of the season against the Spurs on Wednesday. The Wolves first home game at the Target Center in Minnesota is scheduled for Friday night against the Cleveland Cavs.
Return of Butler
After missing training camp and holding solo workouts in California, Butler made a boisterous return to the Wolves last Wednesday. Butler played with the third string and won both scrimmages against the first team.
A fired-up Butler called out teammates including Karl-Anthony Townes and Andrew Wiggins. Butler also shouted at Thibodeau and GM Scott Layden during the session. “You f-cking need me, Scott. You can’t win without me!” shouted Butler.
Reporters were on hand during the fiery practice. After the story blew up, the Wolves closed Thursday’s practice to the all media.
Taj Gibson, who played with Butler for several season in Chicago, noted that he didn’t see anything different from Butler. “That’s he practices. That’s Jimmy.”
“I want to help everyone to be better,” explained Butler. “I want y’all to win games. My name is still attached to this thing. I’m still here, so we’d better win.”
Interview with Rachel Nichols
In a follow-up interview with Rachel Nichols from ESPN, Butler talked about his raw emotions that bubbled to the surface during a heated, but brutally honest practice.
“Everyone is so scared to be honest with one another,” said Butler.
Butler noted that that his relationship with the Wolves is still broken, which is why he demanded a trade.
Heat Trade Talks Cool Down
The Miami Heat and Houston Rockets expressed interest in Butler, with the Heat having the inside track. When the Heat finally gave in and offered Josh Richardson, the Wolves balked. The Wolves seek more in return, but the longer the season goes on, Butler’s trade value diminishes.
Butler wants to play for a winning franchise, but he also seeks a maximum contract. Butler can only sign a Larry Bird veteran extension with the Wolves, or get traded to a team that will invoke the extension.
Tom Thibodeau’s coaching job is on the line. Without Butler, Thibs fears he’ll lose his job at the end of the season.
The Wolves’ inner turmoil is rooted in a fracture between team owner Glen Taylor and management. Taylor wanted to deal Butler instantly and worked the phones to facilitate the trade, which he had done in the past with superstars Kevin Love and Kevin Garnett.
GM Scott Layden opted to proceed with more caution and patience. Layden wants to get the most of out his star player.
The Future?
The Wolves would love to keep Jimmy Butler, but some point they are going to have to deal him sooner than later. Layden and Thibodeau are waiting for another team to come out of the blue with a magical offer, but the reality is that very few teams have the cap space to sign Butler to an extension.
“Everything’s fluid. We’ll continue to work through things,” said Thibodeau.
The Wolves are currently 200/1 odds to win the NBA championship according to the Westgate SuperBook in Las Vegas. The Wolves are also 8/1 odds to win the Northwest division, one of the toughest in the NBA, with all five teams having a legit shot at a postseason berth.