Jimmy Butler has returned to Minnesota, but he doesn’t appear any more eager to get back on the court for the Timberwolves. According to Shams Charania and Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic (via Twitter), Butler met with head coach Tom Thibodeau on Monday and reiterated his request to be traded.
The latest meeting between Thibodeau and Butler essentially puts the two sides in the same position they were in three weeks ago, when the All-Star swingman initially made his trade request in a sitdown with the Wolves’ president of basketball operations. Since then, Minnesota has engaged a number of teams around the NBA in trade talks, but has yet to find a suitable deal despite a few promising leads.
The NBA regular season is set to get underway a week from tonight, so the situation may come to a head in the coming days. Reports throughout the process have suggested that Thibodeau wants to keep Butler, and the 29-year-old seems likely to report to the team before forfeiting any game checks. However, the Wolves know Butler has no plans to stick around long-term in Minnesota, and bringing him back to start the season would only prolong an uncomfortable situation.
The Heat, Rockets, and Clippers are among the teams that have been most aggressive in pursuing Butler, though a Monday report suggested there were no active talks happening between the Timberwolves and Clips, who have refused to offer up Tobias Harris. Minnesota appeared multiple times to be nearing a deal with Miami, but those negotiations reportedly fell apart again over the weekend, with a Heat official referring to the Wolves’ asking price as unreasonable.
Good, in a perfect world the Heat would get rid of TJ and Waiters. But they going for the entire Heat future, like if Butler was still a youngin.
Jimmy butler to suns for josh jackson and protected 1st rounder.
Lmao pass that over here
If I’m the Suns I’d toss warren, Anderson/Tyson and a 2nd or 2 but no more than that without an extension
Why would they do that knowing that Butler alone, won’t make them a contender in the West and most importantly, everyone knows he’s highly likely to opt out and become a free agent?
Offering a 5/190 next year is as big a decision as any. Whoever will go there , Butler will be a sudden fan of.
“hey Jimmy, finally changed your mind?”
“dude, what are you doing? TRADE ME”
At this point it will be bad for both teams no matter what. How do you form good chemistry with not practice or games together. Get it done.
Next week matters. Unless Butler holds out, he can tell Thibs he wants traded until he’s blue in the face. The Wolves owner hasn’t stepped in like he said he would.
Wolves owner G Taylor does need to get involved .. Not sure where that stands at this time ? Taylor needs to fire Thibs, trade JB ASAP just to get some credibility and pride back into his organization ..