11:47am: Thibodeau is traveling to Los Angeles today to meet with Butler, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link), who says that the meeting was originally scheduled to take place in Minnesota. That changed within the last 24 hours, says Woj.
10:58am: A report last week indicated that Jimmy Butler would meet with the Timberwolves on Monday to discuss his future with the club, but Butler tweeted last night that the meeting will actually take place on Tuesday.
The meeting, which will reportedly include head coach and president of basketball operations Tom Thibodeau, as well as general manager Scott Layden, may go a long way toward determining how much longer Butler will remain a Timberwolf. The All-NBA swingman remains under contract with Minnesota for another season, but a trade prior to his 2019 free agency isn’t entirely out of the question.
According to NBA.com’s David Aldridge, Butler has “serious questions about the direction of the franchise,” but he’s willing to hear out team management and “isn’t dead set” on asking to be traded. If he remains in Minnesota for the 2018/19 season, the 29-year-old would be eligible for a more lucrative contract from the Wolves than from any other team.
It will be fascinating to see what comes of today’s meeting between Butler and the Wolves, since it could have a substantial impact on the future of the organization. In his first year in Minnesota, Butler was arguably the team’s best player and helped snap the Wolves’ 13-year postseason drought.
However, he also reportedly bumped heads with some of the club’s youngsters – as he did during his time with the Bulls – and at least one report has suggested that Karl-Anthony Towns‘ extension decision may hinge at least in part on what happens with Butler.
Move him immediately for young controllable assets!
Sixers
Covington and Fultz for Butler
He’s in LA…. wants a trade to the Lakers. Get Kuzma, Hart, and as many picks as you can.
If he goes to LA, the NBA has a very serious problem with players and their utter lack of loyalty—especially to smaller market teams. This will damage fan commitment to such teams. If I’m Silver, I’m watching this trend very carefully.
Knicks
Butter for Paul milsap and Isaiah.
Toss in some other spare parts.
Defensive pf to pair with towns and a real pro.
Denver gets more lyles/joker time which was a great front court last year (offensively). Also Murray Barton and butler would be a fun back court.
If I am a GM for a contender I am staying far away from him.
Denver would be a wise to make a deal
Butler wasn’t arguably the best player in the team last year, he was the 2nd & it wasn’t even close Luke, come on man, KAT had a very good season despite Butler & Thibs. KAT was almost a top 5 player last season, Butler just made it to a top 20. Butler is very good, a star player but KAT is a superstar, plain & simple. Stats & metrics don’t lie.
Defense tho.
Yeah I think you can make a strong case for either player as the Wolves’ “best” last season (especially if we’re considering 82-game impact, given Butler’s injury), but Butler’s two-way ability gave him the edge in my opinion.
Hmm, maybe Chicago’s front office wasn’t so stupid after all? Apparently Thibs is already on thin ice w Timberwolves ownership and Butler’s a bit of a turd as a human being.
If Butler gets traded, I say cut ties with Thibs. I know it’s late in the process for this but he hasn’t adapted to the game.
Butler should move on. He’s outnumbered 2 to 1 by soft kids. It won’t get better, he won’t make them better.
Butler is old school. He works his butt off to make up for a lack of skill(TO A DEGREE). It’s not his fault the timberpups don’t work as hard as he does. The Knicks don’t have a ton of hardworking players either, with the exception of maybe KP, Kanter and Knox(not 100% sure yet). Denver? Jokic, Millsap, Barton, Harris, Murray, IT, Jauncho, Lyles, maybe MPJ and definitely the best Plumlee. They don’t have a 1st to trade this year but Harris, Lydon and 2020 lightly protected 1st could do it. If they have to include MPJ idk as his upside is about as high as snoop after breakfast. The 2020 pick would also be in the 20’s if they resign Butler. Minny gets a position of need covered by a very good SG in Harris, a possible future stretch 4 in Lydon and an extra 1st which always helps. I really hope it doesn’t happen as a Nets fan. I hope they just miss the playoffs and give the Nets the 13th or 14th pick!