Appearing today on Darren Wolfson’s podcast The Scoop, Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor didn’t guarantee that Jimmy Butler would be traded before February’s deadline, but said his best guess was that it would happen. In Taylor’s view, teams may not have put their best offers on the table yet, since they’re still trying to take advantage of Minnesota’s diminished leverage created by Butler’s strong desire to leave.
Taylor, who confirmed that GM Scott Layden is the point man on trade negotiations, with Tom Thibodeau focusing on coaching, said that about half the teams in the league have made inquiries on Butler. Asked by Wolfson if the Timberwolves are feeling pressure to pull the trigger on a deal soon, Taylor said that he knows his team won’t necessarily get a “perfect” deal, but added that he owes it to fans to get the best return possible, which means being patient.
Here’s more from out of Minnesota:
- In a column for The Star Tribune, Jim Souhan argues that the Timberwolves should resolve the Butler situation sooner rather than later, writing that the saga has hurt the team’s culture and cost Thibodeau credibility in the locker room.
- Before he went off for 50 points against the Jazz on Wednesday night, Derrick Rose spoke to Shams Charania of The Athletic about the opportunity he has been given in Minnesota to be a key contributor again without necessarily having to regain his old MVP form. Charania also explores the respect that stars around the NBA still have for Rose.
- An MRI on Tyus Jones‘ injured right foot came back negative, with inflammation in the foot, sources tell Charania and Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic (Twitter link). Jones is considered day-to-day, having apparently avoided a more serious injury.
#FreeJimmy
More articles celebrating the basketball play of Derrick Rose – whose 50 points were impressive – that ignores the whole, you know, rape thing.
Which continues to be a big deal.
The NBA would be better off with Rose out of the league. And NBA coverage would be better if the media held Rose responsible instead of continuing to give him a free pass.
What a ridiculous comment. What do you mean “rape thing”? You mean an allegation, which led to a trial on which Rose was cleared of all charges?
Dude you’re a real piece aren’t you? I have a friend who was accused, arrested, couldn’t make bail, stressed out his mother who had a serious medical condition so severe she had to move to Florida to avoid the conditions in the mid-west. He was fired from his very professional job. Lost money. And a lot of his “friends” abandoned him. Once released, he taped the girl apologizing for the false accusation. All charges were dropped but the woman never did a single day in jail.
Any woman who accuses someone of rape should absolutely be taken serious. But what about the guys falsely accused or had their case adjudicated and released for lack of evidence or otherwise? Must they live the rest of their lives being accused of one of the most horrible things one person can do to another? Rose by law (because none of us were there) is NOT a rapist. As long as he’s not dating anyone you know then don’t worry about it.
You mean like what Kobe did?
Rose has been through a lot. You had to feel good for him.
Not the same situation
Kobe raped a girl in a motel. How is accused rape different from accused rape. Mike Tyson partied all night with a girl. She went home with him in a limo. Spent the night in a room with him. Tyson went to jail. “A lot” of people believe Kobe bought out the girl.
If they want some quality they’d better deal now and not February. They’re not going to get much of anything for a 2 month rental. Should have taken Houston’s offer yesterday.
I think once teams are allowed to trade FA signed this past off-season then things will move quickly.
But this is all bull. Butler is ONLY doing this for the money. All that about KAT and Wiggins is bull. He knows that if he’s NOT traded and becomes a FA he will “only” be able to get a 4 year deal. If he’s traded then his bird-rights travel with him and the acquiring team would have the ability to give him that 5th year which could mean another $25-$35 mil. It’s all bull. Let’s stop acting like he’s playing this year for peanuts. He’s getting $20 mil this year.
I’ve always been a guy who sided with players but lately I find myself really seeing a lot of unfairness being shown towards management. It sucks to have to trade a player for pennies on the dollar simply because they can’t wait until their FA to switch teams.
Wolves are well within their rights not to trade him and ride out the year with him.
With the way the rockets are playing, I’d guess they will up their offer again soon.
I consider the Butler drama over. Minnesota doesn’t want to trade him. No team will give them what they want. Butler will sign elsewhere next summer, and they get nothing.
May be what Minnesota wants. Lose Butler’s contract without replacing him. May keep them out of the luxury tax.
Arguing with strangers on the internet. Fun stuff. I just farted.