Although Jimmy Butler didn’t participate in the Timberwolves‘ Media Day on Monday, he was in Minnesota and took his physical, tweets Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press. As Reynolds relays, head coach Tom Thibodeau – who said that Butler could be about a week from being ready to play – also sounded like a man who was open to the idea of dealing his All-Star wing.
“We’re not going to make a bad deal,” Thibodeau said. “If it’s a good deal, we’re interested.”
According to Thibodeau, last week’s trade request from Butler was the first time the 29-year-old had taken such a stance, forcing the situation to come to “a head” (Twitter link via Chris Hine of The Star Tribune). Thibodeau also acknowledged that there was risk involved in acquiring Butler last year, but said he thought the Timberwolves would have a good chance to lock him up long-term. “It didn’t work out,” Thibodeau said today (Twitter link via Jerry Zgoda).
After making it clear that the Wolves will consider potential trades with teams besides the ones on Butler’s wish list, Thibodeau added that if Minnesota can’t make a deal in the next week and Butler is done with his conditioning and rehab work, the All-NBA swingman will be expected to rejoin the team (Twitter links via Michael Rand and Kent Youngblood of The Star Tribune).
Here’s more on Butler:
- Thibodeau said today that he isn’t worried about his own authority – or job – as a result of the Butler situation. “Not at all. I never worry about that,” Thibodeau said (Twitter link via Michael Rand). “[The] important thing is to understand … what your job is. Your job is to acquire best talent to help your team win.”
- Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News (Twitter link) believes a trade will happen “sooner rather than later,” though probably not today.
- League sources maintain to David Aldridge of NBA.com that the Timberwolves will hold out for at least one first-round pick as part of a Butler trade, and will also want some “young vets” who can grow with the club’s remaining core.
- The Kings are on the list of teams interested in discussing a possible Butler trade with the Timberwolves, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
- As of late Sunday night, the Nets weren’t negotiating with the Timberwolves on a Butler deal, according to Newsday’s Greg Logan, who believes Brooklyn isn’t eager to sacrifice a ton of assets for the Timberwolves wing (Twitter links).
- Don’t count on the Pistons swinging a blockbuster trade for Butler, writes Rod Beard of The Detroit News.
Thibs been smoking some pot. Good.
Why would Tom Thibodeau set something on fire put it to his mouth and breathe in the fumes that result from that fire. It’s like walking into a fireplace and breathing in and out. May as well stick your mouth around a tailpipe of a car. Except the car would be quicker death and less painful at the end. No lung surgery or throat surgeries either.
What?
Gary you should smoke some pot n calm down buddy
Actually you’re right I’ll go have a beer and stay off this site in about 2 weeks. It’s been a rough day.
It’s all good Gary we all been there hope you had a good day today at least, don’t let one bad day keep you down!! I’ll crack open a cold one with you in spirit
What in the actual…
So it’s worse than I imagined out there? Sure looks like it. God help this country. The youth is in a hypnotic stupor.
Making Dionis proud
I know…
Crap day.
Like one guy says I’ll see myself out
you’re sounding like a square gary
I’m as square as you get. All right angles.., perfect box.
I like the possible trade with the Heat . JB and Dieng for Whiteside, Richardson and a #1 next year.
I don’t think Thibodeau wants to deal with a whiteside type. Not his kind of a player.
I understand the Whiteside issue but Wolves need defense at the Rim . Plus I don’t think Thibs is going to be his coach . Just Sayin !!
Lot of guys are talking about towns as the power forward. Probably a good fit and bring in a defensive Center.
Can he guard forwards? IDK
No. And if you don’t know now you know………
Makes no sense as they have towns lol. Nice try though
Compared to what exists on the market, none of us really know. You could look at Whiteside as a good swap for Dieng and getting Johnson on a good contract and a 1st this year. I think its a good trade in the market for Jimmy Butler.
I think Jimmy Butler could end up being traded to the Nicks. Makes many sense. New York Nicks could do well with Butler and Porzingis.
Porzingas not playing this year.
Calling it now: Nuggets offer Gary Harrris, Trey Lyles, and a future first. I hate it, but the Nuggets have been starving for a star and Millsap hasn’t exactly worked.
Mpj would have to be in there too. Harris, mpj and 1st would get it done.
I would hop on that in a heartbeat if I were the wolves.
You realize that isn’t even close to being realistic, right? C’mon man, stop with your nonsense.
Lyles is better than Porter, especially since MIN already has a 3 in Wiggins. Porter may not even be a player.
Lyles does duplicate Towns somewhat but MIN would be dangerous having all 5 starters able to hit from 3.
Harris would step right in & be equal to Butler offensively but not at all on D.
Harris is a Stud . Wolves may take this if offered.
If I had a dollar for everytime someone called a trade and got it right, I’d have maybe a dollar.
I still talk about the time I called the Prince Fielder Ian Kinsler trade down to the dollar compensation. Even on NBA boards.
I think pistons are a viable option if they include next years draft pick kenard and johnson. Knicks make sense too as the big market appeal. I think the clippers connection is overstated because of there lack of true talent and being the second team in la.
Raptors… Anunoby, Ibaka, Green for Butler and Dieng.
Whiteside and Winslow
For
Butler and Dieng
Dragic, Olynk, and Winslow
For
Butler and Dieng
Both work in ESPN Trade Machine
And Johnsons can be substituted for both Dragic & Olynyk. Probably should be. Tyler & James. They would help MIN just as much and are more available.
Butler to Bulls for Omer Asik, Cristiano Felicio, and a bag of chips — but they have to be barbecue chips. Works in trade machine but I have to say I dislike machines ever since the Terminator movies.