1:24pm: There’s a belief within the Timberwolves that Butler could target specific games to sit out, league sources tell ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. However, he’s unlikely to miss high-profile matchups like Friday’s game against the Warriors, according to Wojnarowski, who adds that Butler is expected to play in Golden State.
According to both Wojnarowski and Krawczynski, Butler’s camp remains frustrated with the Wolves’ inaction on his trade request and wants owner Glen Taylor to speed up the process. There’s a “collective belief” among Butler’s suitors that Thibodeau isn’t looking to seriously negotiate a trade yet, sources tell Woj.
Addressing the Rockets’ offer specifically, Krawczynski notes that Minnesota isn’t interested in taking on Knight’s contract. The Rockets have made “no progress” on a Butler deal with the Wolves, tweets Sam Amick of The Athletic.
12:34pm: The situation remains fluid, according to Krawczynski, who tweets that Butler could very well return to the Timberwolves’ lineup for Friday’s game. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports (via Twitter) that there’s an expectation Butler will fly to Golden State with the team for Friday’s game, adding that it was the Wolves that suggested the 29-year-old rest on Wednesday. Teams talking to Minnesota about Butler say the asking price remains high, per Woj.
11:57am: Jimmy Butler won’t play for the Timberwolves on Wednesday night against Utah, the team confirmed today. While the club cited “general soreness and precautionary rest” as the reasons for Butler’s absence, the four-time All-Star made the decision himself, informing head coach Tom Thibodeau of his plan this morning, according to Shams Charania and Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic (Twitter link).
Charania and Krawczynski report (via Twitter) that Butler’s decision to sit tonight represents the “next step” in his continued efforts to push the Timberwolves to trade him. According to The Athletic’s duo, Butler’s absence could turn into an extended one.
If Butler is healthy enough to play and is opting to sit out against the Wolves’ wishes, the team would have grounds to dock his salary for each game he misses. It’s not clear if that’s where this is headed though — when Thibodeau initially announced the news on Butler, there was no indication that the club wasn’t on board with having him sit out Wednesday’s game.
This is just the latest development in a saga that has had its fair share of dramatic twists and turns since word of Butler’s trade request broke a week before training camps got underway. The All-NBA wing looks like a lock to be traded before February’s trade deadline, but he’s clearly hoping to force Minnesota to make a move well before then.
The Heat and Rockets have been the teams most frequently identified as suitors for Butler, though Marc Stein of The New York Times wrote on Tuesday about “steady rumbles” around the NBA that the Sixers will eventually make a push too. Miami appeared close to landing Butler at one point during the preseason with a package centered around Josh Richardson and a first-round pick, but couldn’t finalize a deal.
As for Houston, the Rockets reportedly offered Marquese Chriss, Brandon Knight, and four first-round picks for Butler. Since it has been two months since Chriss and Knight were acquired from Phoenix, those two players can now have their salaries aggregated together in a trade for salary-matching purposes, meaning that – as of today – such a deal would be allowed. However, the Wolves reportedly showed little interest in Houston’s offer, preferring a package that includes Eric Gordon.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
The Nets wouldn’t be a bad destination. Russell,Levert, and Allen are locked in at the 1,2, and 5. If they could maybe move out Crabbe,Dudley, and Hollis-Jefferson for Jimmy both sides benefit. Obviously the Nets are a playoff lock with a lineup of:
Russell-Lever-Butler-Ed-Allen
The Wolves get a high volume shooter in Crabbe and an intriguing 3-4 in Hollis-Jefferson who is athletic and can play both ends. The Wolves already have their prized rookie in Okogie who in time will be an all-nba defender and 16-18 ppg guard.
Nope
Crabbe has negative trade value and Hollis-Jefferson isn’t all that valuable. Throw in 4 first rounders then fine, but otherwise no thank you.
4 first rounders? No way, I’d give up two max.
Philly is the team we need to trade with. Saric, fultz and a 1 st rd pick. Benifits both teams, fultz is not working out for the 76ers, butler gives them their 3rd star. Minny gets younger and can finally start building around towns with a starting five of towns saric wiggins okogie fultz. Then trade Teague, gibson, rose for bench pieces and picks and the team is almost rebuilt in a year. Just need a new coach and gm…
I agree we should trade with the sixers, but get Fultz instead of saric.
76ers: Butler
Phoenix: Teague, Patton
Wolves: Covington, Fultz, Warren, 76er 1st
Covington* instead of Saric
Saric gives us more cap room and he will be a better player.
rox should make it Gordon , Knight and Chriss and the 4 first rounders top 10 protected. for Butler and Gibson and then waive melo.
rockets also need to be in on korver they need shooting in the worst ways right now.
Josh Richardson, Kelly Olynyk, and a 1st is fair. Pat Riley should stick to it.
No team wants to pay Thibbs’ outrageous price.
Thibbs doesn’t want to trade Jimmy.
Jimmy doesn’t want to play for Thibbs.
It’s crazy that Butler is still on the Timberwolves. But, then again, it’s crazy that Thibbs still has a job.
Still, it only takes one team to blink and offer you something ridiculous (though I’d argue that the Rockets’ offer is already a ridiculous overpay, but what do I know?).
If this guy was a teammate of mine I’d probably take him out during practice.
He wants to get traded but he’s doing himself more harm than good acting the way he has. If I’m an owner I’d be worried he’d pull these same antics for me. If he doesn’t like where he’s traded to…..look out! He should join the rodeo, he’s already a clown!
Ego management is always a bigger deal in the NBA because the nature of the sport of basketball just lends itself to it more than other sports. I get it. It’s just more natural to have big personalities and controversies in a game with 5 starters and 14ish players on the roster, versus football or baseball or hockey that tend to be less individual. And that’s fine.
But… some of these guys can’t even *pretend* they have the capacity to act like adults. Jimmy is ticked because he thinks he was brought to MN to teach KAT how to dribble, KAT thinks Butler was brought to MN so there would be more players almost as good as himself on the roster. Butler might not be all wrong with regards to some work ethic concerns, but KAT and Wiggins are probably wise in taking the high road and not getting into it with Butler publicly, despite the target rich environment.
The team should suspend him. Detrimental conduct.
Trade him to the Suns
Not only did Butler refuse to play against Utah, he took the ball so nobody could play. The start of the game was delayed as the head official went out to get a replacement ball at the nearest sporting goods store. Butler further stated that he wouldn’t EVER play against Utah until the team name is changed to something more relevant. Utah Jazz?? Really??
New Orleans Jazz, one of the best team names ever. Had they moved to Memphis, St. Louis, or Chicago, they should have kept the name. But not in Utah.
There are no lakes in LA, another name change is necessary.
Trade Butler and the Wolves for the Lakers and all associated team history. Bring the Lakers home!
These athletes (employees) need to humble themselves. You are an employee who signed a contract. The team owes you nothing more than what your contract states. It’s getting ridiculous.