Jimmy Butler is expected to play for the Timberwolves tonight in Sacramento, but the team will continue to mix in occasional games of “scheduled rest” for the All-NBA swingman going forward as part of a jointly agreed-upon plan, league sources tell Marc Stein of The New York Times (Twitter link).
When Butler sat out last Wednesday’s game against Utah, reports indicated that it was related to his push for a trade. However, the Timberwolves cited “general soreness” and “precautionary rest” to explain his absence for that contest, as well as Sunday’s game in Portland, denying that had anything to do with his trade request.
Sources tell Stein (Twitter link) that the Timberwolves and Butler initially agreed to establish a “loose limit” of about 32 minutes per game coming into the season for the 29-year-old. With his minutes limited to some extent, Butler would get a chance to ease back in after missing training camp and the Wolves could minimize his injury risk as they sought a trade.
However, Butler has played at least 35 minutes in seven of his nine games so far, including 43 against the Lakers on Wednesday. With the competitive Butler and head coach Tom Thibodeau – who has historically given heavy minutes to his starters – apparently having trouble sticking to that initial plan, the rest games will provide the team another way to attempt to minimize Butler’s injury risk, Stein explains (Twitter link).
It’s not clear if the games Butler misses will follow any specific pattern. It’s safe to assume that back-to-backs are worth watching, but Minnesota will play on consecutive nights only once before December 30 — the Wolves visit Brooklyn on November 23 and host the Bulls on November 24.
God.
What do real Basketball players think about this and what this malcontent has done?
How dare he want to protect his livelihood! Thibs notoriously rides his starters to the ground. He is going to be a free agent, told the team he wasn’t going to re-sign, asked to be traded with plenty of notice…what more could you want? For him to just shut up and dribble? If you were about to leave your job for a dream opportunity, but your contract wasn’t up for another year and your job is dependent on your health, would you risk your future for your current employer? Of course you wouldn’t. No one would. I understand as a fan this may not be appealing to you, but I think fans seem to forget that this is a job. This isn’t the game that they used to play when they were 20 years younger and 100 pounds lighter. It’s work, tireless work with a limited shelf life
My problem with this is that he is being paid 19 Million this year to play for the Timberwolves. Last I looked, there was no mention of not being paid when he didn’t feel like playing. If he is that concerned of the future value and him being hurt, sit out the season and not be paid.
That’s a fair point. I’m not sure how contract status is affected by sitting out. I know in football that you have to report by a certain date or your current status carries over to the following year
Tireless work? LMAO Tell him to go dig ditches or work on a construction. 20 MIL to bounce a f’n ball and you’re talking about “tireless work”. Man STHU!
Wow, this is your retort. So, yes the options you provided are laborious jobs. But to think being a professional athlete is just bouncing a ball you are delusional. These guys train year round, travel constantly, work out practically every day, have strict nutrition, so yes…it’s hard work. All you see is the end result of that work for 60 minutes at a clip. I am willing to wager that you take any construction worker and put them through an NBA workout and they would be gassed before it’s over. Many athletes have significant health issues later in life, so keep thinking it’s just bouncing a ball
It’s a tremendous mistake to keep trotting him out there. You watch the Wolves and you can so how low team morale is. Defense isn’t there, hustle isn’t there. Just a bunch of talented offensive players out there letting it fly.
Just tell him to stay away till he is traded. Minny is stupid to risk an injury to butler. He is not part of the future and the team needs to learn to play without him. Playing him, catering to his childish bs, and trying to get a couple of more wins that will take us out of the lottery is just plain stupid. Minny is not a playoff team and doing another one and done is pointless. Ged rid of butler asap, move on from Thibs, as he had clearly lost this team (no one wants to play for him, neither towns nor wiggins and that’s the franchise). Develop your future towns, wiggins, okogie. Dump your ill fated past butler thibs teague gibson and co.
Arm, I’m with you .. Stop playing this guy, let him sit until he is traded .. If Thibs cannot agree with it …. Replace him, Appears both JB and Thibs are only concerned about their status/future and not the team or the organization long term !!!
This isn’t gonna fly with the league offices, I know that.
I don’t get how this plan is okay. The league cracked down last year and LeBron played every game. Still is. But now it’s, whatever?
In related news, Minnesota will also continue to occasionally look like a professional sports franchise.
Inevitably, hes going to tear an ACL and Thibs/Min FO will be left looking like muppets for not dealing him when they could have.