As the Timberwolves make an effort to handle Jimmy Butler‘s trade request, Tom Thibodeau‘s dual role as the club’s head coach and president of basketball operations may be a complicating factor — Thibodeau reportedly has no interest in rebuilding or in making a deal that would see the Wolves take a major step back on the court.
While Thibodeau has plenty of power – for now – in Minnesota, not every NBA head coach is envious of his extra responsibilities. As Chris Hine of The Minneapolis Star Tribune details, Warriors coach Steve Kerr is one coach who has no interest in assuming both of those roles at once, despite having previously served as an NBA general manager.
“It wouldn’t work for me,” Kerr said of holding both jobs at once. “It depends on the circumstances, the situations. It depends on relationships within the organization. Everybody is going to be structured a little differently, but having sat in both chairs, I would not feel comfortable doing both jobs.”
Here’s more on Kerr and the Warriors:
- As Hine relays, Kerr offered a few additional thoughts on why he’s happy simply coaching the Warriors: “One of the reasons I wanted to coach is because frankly it’s easier than being a GM and facing some of those choices. I’m lucky. I’ve got a great GM. Great friend in Bob [Myers] and when we’ve been faced with difficult decisions, the collaboration and the process we’ve had has been sound. … We’re lucky to be where we are, and it’s been smooth. We’re all going to face our moments. It’s the NBA, and it’s tough out there.”
- One issue that Myers and the Warriors’ front office are currently dealing with is Patrick McCaw‘s restricted free agency. McCaw let Monday’s qualifying offer deadline pass without accepting his QO, a decision that is both “risky and mystifying,” according to Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area.
- Asked by Shams Charania of The Athletic (video link) whether he’d be interested in having his “own team,” 2019 free-agent-to-be Klay Thompson questioned that concept, noting that he doesn’t believe the Warriors are any one player’s team. “I just want to be on a great team,” Thompson added. “I don’t want to necessarily be the focal point at all times.”
Kerr knows he’s coaching a dynasty. Don’t mess up a good thing. People are concerned about their money situation. They made money last season, and will be opening a new arena a year from now.
What makes sense is Butler lost $40-$50mm when he lost his supermax in Chicago. He didn’t ask to be traded to Minnesota. Then he asks to have his contract renegotiated after Towns and Wiggins got theirs. Didn’t happen. Didn’t get along with Wiggins or Towns. The Wolves say Butler put them in a bad position with his trade request. He let them know in late July he wouldn’t re sign. Thibs just blew him off.
You should make more comments like this with analysis and less on what tv shows you like or how connected players are to indiana. You nailed this situation on the head Butler was very professional in this process and Thibs is the real problem
A Vegas betting site had the Warriors listed as -1000 to make the playoffs. Someone actually bet $16,000 to win $160.
GSW Gets: Jimmy Butler & Taj Gibson
Minn Gets: Draymond Green & Iggy
Money works. GSW wins 7 more games lmao and Minn loses 9.
Fact is, LAC, NYK, BKN aren’t contending this year. So push in your chips for Butler when you have a chance to sign him. I would focus on making the team better/more attractive for next offseason to lure him.
Wtf would the dubs want butler and Gibson? The dubs have enough guys that score, and draymond and his D and playmaking do much more than Butler would. He’d just get in the way of Durant and Thompson. Plus a full playoffs of Iggy is worth anything Gibson would ever give you.
Iggy is winding down. … we need Butler on board as a bench wing…. maybe 15- 18 minutes.