The Clippers, who hosted the Timberwolves on Monday, were reportedly on Jimmy Butler‘s list of preferred destinations when he requested a trade in September, and the Lakers, who will face Minnesota tonight, have also been identified as a potential suitor for the 2019 free-agent-to-be. However, Butler was in no mood to answer questions about a possible future in Los Angeles this week, as Baxter Holmes of ESPN.com relays.
“No, I’m in Minnesota for the time being,” Butler said after Monday’s loss. “I’ll enjoy the sunshine for a couple days, and then if we go back there, we go back there.”
Butler also turned away inquiries on whether or not he’d even play in the game against the Lakers on Wednesday. The All-NBA swingman has only appeared in two of the Wolves’ last four contests, missing games against Utah and Portland due to what the team referred to as “general soreness” and “precautionary rest.” He’s listed as questionable for tonight.
Here’s more on Minnesota:
- With Timberwolves president of basketball operations Tom Thibodeau under fire for his handling of the Butler situation, Michael Rand of The Star Tribune revisits all of Thibodeau’s major personnel moves during his time in Minnesota, assigning each a grade. Karl-Anthony Towns‘ rookie scale extension received the highest marks of any transaction Thibodeau has overseen.
- Speaking of Towns, Chris Herring of ESPN.com explored whether he and Andrew Wiggins are strong enough franchise cornerstones to make the Wolves a legit contender in the West once Butler departs.
- Although he has started two of his last three outings for the Wolves, including last Wednesday’s 50-point game, Derrick Rose recently suggested that he’s aiming to win the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award this season, as Nick Fridell of ESPN.com writes. Rose, who has come off the bench in eight of his 10 games, is averaging 17.4 PPG, 4.6 APG, and 3.5 RPG.
Hart and pope for jimmy
Ingram and pope Deal! Ingram to skinny and zero aggression!
No way Ingram would get offered. If he wasn’t for kawaii no way for jimmy.
Pope is horrible.
Agreed.. should have gotten Ariza or kept randle
Tom is not the coach for Wiggins and Towns. And if the Lakers offer Ingram and Pope I would take that in a heartbeat if I was Minnesota because Ingram is not being used properly isn’t that so called offense Walton is running with LeBron James controlling the basketball 70 percent of the time.
Brandon Ingram is my favorite player and deserves to get away from that mess the Lakers have, would love to see him on the Pistons or Cavs out East. Cavs should offer the Lakers Love and Korver.
LeBron James and his almost career low usage percentage
Butler is now biggest jerk in the league. Just awful, toxic to teammates.
Jimmy Butler isn’t such a bad guy. He paid for a ticket for a private jet so teammate Tyus Jones could watch his brother play for Duke against Kentucky last night. I know Steve Kyler will do 2019 NBA mock drafts later in season. If interested today’s Hoops Hype lists the aggregate projections for NBAdraft.net, The Athletic, Sporting News, Sports Illustrated, and a couple others. Of course R.J. Barrett, Zion Williamson, and Cameron Reddish are at top and showed why last night.
Hoops Hype also includes projections for Bleacher Report and ESPN.
Minnesota is now saying they won’t make a deal unless Gorgui Dieng is included. Houston is still trying.
KAT’s extension is one of the most obvious autopilot decisions any GM could make.