Although Jimmy Butler and Karl-Anthony Towns both downplayed the idea, there was a sense that a frayed relationship between the two Timberwolves stars contributed significantly to Butler’s desire to leave Minnesota. Now that Butler is heading to Philadelphia, there’s no need for the two stars to play nice, but Towns still had nothing but praise for the four-time All-Star on his way out.
“He’s one hell of a player,” Towns said on Sunday, per ESPN’s Malika Andrews. “I don’t know how many Jimmy Butlers there are in the world, so I think he’ll be missed.”
Rumors circulated throughout Butler’s short-lived stint in Minnesota that there was friction between him and the team’s younger players – primarily former No. 1 overall pick Towns and Andrew Wiggins – with reports suggesting that the 29-year-old questioned his teammates’ desire to win. Butler came close to acknowledging that point during a preseason interview with ESPN’s Rachel Nichols when he cited Towns and Wiggins as the Wolves with the most talent, but referred to himself the one who played the hardest.
Despite that reported friction, Wiggins also complimented Butler following word of Minnesota’s trade agreement with Philadelphia. As Andrew relays, Wiggins told Joel Embiid that Butler is a player you “want on your side” if you’re going into battle.
“I learned a lot of things from him,” Wiggins said of Butler. “We made the playoffs, something we haven’t done in a long, long time. So I think it was a positive either way you put it.”
While Towns and Wiggins appear to be sticking to the line that there were no off-court issues with Butler, they should have the opportunity to regain larger roles on the court now that he’s gone.
In 2016/17, the season before Butler’s arrival, Wiggins averaged 23.6 PPG on 19.1 FGA, while Towns posted 25.1 PPG on 18.0 FGA. Those were career highs for both players, who saw those marks slip to 17.6 PPG and 15.8 FGA (Wiggins) and 21.1 PPG and 14.4 FGA (Towns) during Butler’s tenure in Minnesota.
Great answer ! Kill them with kindness.
All quotes from Mr. Towns and Wiggins were previously approved by Tom Thibodeau before they were replied.
Towns and Wiggins will average 25+ ppg and get the Wolves in the playoffs.
Stop it. They’re not making the playoff. To soft and week minded. Plus, they get pushed around alot on the court. I wouldn’t want to play with they soft ass either
I think they’ll make the playoffs to be honest.
Wolves will be good a long time. But never great.
“I don’t know how many Jimmy Butlers there are in the world, so I think he’ll be missed.”
That is barely one step ahead of “He is a great player, just ask him.” You can just hear the sarcasm rolling there.
Good riddins… Burned bridges at both stops. A combo of Saric and Covington is better anyway. Watch Minny start rolling now.
They should fire Thibodeau though he probably doesn’t want to to coach the Wolves any longer since his boyfriend Jimmy won’t be around any longer.
Clearly you haven’t watched enough Sixers games. RoCo & Saric a better combo LMAO… Enjoy RoCo’s poor shot selection and inability to make a layup. Love Dario but he plays overseas and his legs are dead the first 2 months of the season.
Wiggins and Towns never needed Butler around. He’s better off in Philly because they actually need his scoring and him as second option behind Embiid. The Wolves are set with Wiggins and Towns, Covington and Saric can be what George and Grant were for the Lakers for Kobe and Shaq.
Class act by KAT & Wiggs, they really show they are the better man with that, also I don’t think they were the frictions mentioned, the 2 main reasons Butler wanted out is that he couldn’t be paid as he wanted next year in Minny & his possible liaison with KAT’s girlfriend. So that’s the gripe he had with KAT nothing to do with him been soft. Girlfriends have broken some good teams in the NBA, I remember in the 90’s the 3 J’s from Dallas broken up over Toni Braxton, sadly happens. Now all can move forward & be happy balling, future looks great for Minny, Philly’s future look as good as ever but their present is very bright too, becoming clear favorites for the finals this year.