The Timberwolves appear as if they are preparing to start the season with Jimmy Butler on the roster despite the fact that the four-time All-Star has reiterated his desire to be traded. Butler maintains his stance even after the organization made numerous attempts to convince him to stay.
Heavy negotiations between the Heat and Wolves broke down yet again this week with Miami’s latest offer not satisfying Minnesota’s front office. The Heat’s proposal was a package headlined by Josh Richardson and a protected first-round pick, as Marc Stein of The New York Times reports in his weekly newsletter. Stein doesn’t provide full details on that offer, but based on Miami’s reported interest in moving Dion Waiters, it wouldn’t be surprising if he was also included for salary-matching purposes.
Here’s more on Butler and the Wolves:
- Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau and GM Scott Layden have been known as one of the most difficult front offices to negotiate with over the past two years, agents and executives within the league tell Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic. That has continued to be the case with teams attempting to nab Butler. Rivals have been willing to undergo “unconventional” negotiations because of Butler’s talent, Krawczynski explains, adding that if Butler weren’t a franchise talent, rival organizations would simply hang up the phone and not deal with the Thibs/Layden duo.
- According to Krawczynski, the Timberwolves are still talking with teams about a potential deal and talks with Miami are expected to resume this week.
- Should Minnesota hold onto Butler through opening night, he is unlikely to sit out and forfeit game checks. Butler was in Los Angeles when the Wolves faced the Clippers last week and he dined with several current teammates. While some players have said Butler would be welcomed back on the team, Krawczynski notes that it would no doubt add to the club’s chemistry issues.
- Thibodeau would welcome Butler back unconditionally should he warm up to the idea of playing out the season in Minnesota even though he could leave for nothing next summer, Stein reports in the aforementioned newsletter. Thibs also isn’t concerned about how uncomfortable the situation might get between Butler and the team’s young stars (Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins). Butler’s “chilly” relationships with Towns and Wiggins are said to be high on the list of reasons why Butler wants out, per Stein.
- The Heat, Clippers, Sixers, Nets have all reportedly had negotiations with the Timberwolves for Butler. Stein contends that Miami’s package headlined by Richardson and a protected first-rounder is likely the best-case scenario for Minnesota, given the circumstances. Stein believes that deal allows the Wolves to recoup a good portion of the value they gave up (Kris Dunn, Zach LaVine, and the draft pick that became Lauri Markkanen) to bring aboard Butler in the first place.
I just want the season to start so we stop hearing about this clown every day.
They should just accept the Miami offer. There’s no getting better than that.
Its already gotten better, I dont understand this logic. The reports we were hearing when this all started was that the Heat would not part with Josh Richardson, not only is he being dangled but along with a 1st round pick. Id say its working.
Love the +/- wins for NBA Trade Machine. +10 Wins Heat, -8 Wins Wolves.
Finding a trade that on paper says the Wolves are better has been difficult. Usually they are -8 to 10 wins.
Not sure how they figure this out… b/c if you traded Kawhi for Jimmy Butler, the Wolves are -11 wins. Like so far only Anthony Davis made the Wolves better based on the Hollinger’s Analysis – seems broken.
Its b/c that stuff is usually dumb. It doesnt factor in so many things
According to 5 Reason Sports (Google Jimmy Butler), Butler told Thibodeaux Monday that he wants a trade by Friday, “Or else.”
The Athletic says Thibodeax has told the Timberwolves players to plan on Butler being traded during the season, but not before.
Nobody expected George to go to OKC, so here’s a wild one that works on the trade machine. Wolves send Butler, Dieng, and Tyus Jones to Cleveland for Sexton, Hill, Nance Jr., Osman, and Korver.
The wolves are stupid AF. Will take in Derrick Rose but Dion waiters is a risk cuz “injury and attitude”.
Waiters never asked to sit out an all star game like butler either.
Waiters cost a lot more. 3/36.3M
Waiters is also signed for 3 years and has weight/ankle issues, get out of here with your illogical bs.
keep butler, fire thibs/hire kg, and everything’s fixed –
Trade Wiggins back for Love and a pick.
The relationship between Butler and Towns is dead, you gave Towns a max to carry your team for the next 5 years don’t do him a disservice by having Butler on the roster. Show him you are serious about moving forward with him by moving Butler, fire Tom while you are at it because he has a man crush with Jimmy and only chose to come to Minnesota because of Jimmy.
Trade him to the Thunder for Diallo,Schroeder, and Abrines. Boom you get a very intriguing shooting guard in Diallo,a possible starting point guard and a floor spacer in Abrines.
You have to trade Butler, I don’t know why Thibs doesn’t just pull the trigger already, but trade Butler, Dieng for Richardson, whiteside, and 1st rounder. If you can get Winslow too great but just get it done.