Jimmy Butler Requests Trade, Wants Out of Minnesota
Sep 19, 2018, 12:00 AM | Updated: Jan 4, 2019, 11:34 am
(Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
(Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
by Matt George – Sports 1140 KHTK Reporter
Last season for the Minnesota Timberwolves marked the end of a rough stretch of losing, struggle, and frustration as the T-Wolves finally managed a postseason appearance, passing their title of “Longest Playoff Drought” to the Sacramento Kings. What should have been a summer of optimism and higher expectation for next season, turned sour quickly after a quick playoff exit and rumored discontent in the locker room.
Wednesday, things came to a head, as all-star Jimmy Butler, who was traded to Minnesota last June, as formally asked to be traded after a meeting with head coach and president of basketball operations Tom Thibodeau.
Jimmy Butler has requested a trade from the Minnesota Timberwolves, league sources tell me and @JonKrawczynski. Butler has given Minnesota a list of one-to-three teams with whom he's open to signing extension, in anticipation of trade.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 19, 2018
It seemed like a perfect fit for Butler, reunited with Thibodeau, his favorite coach while with Chicago, as well as a collection of established talent. However, due to Thibodeau’s demanding minutes for his starters, and the creation of factions among the teammates, it’s no wonder that Butler wants out.
In search of that massive payday, the 29-year-old lock-down defender has narrowed his desired list of teams down to three; the Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, and Los Angeles Clippers.
Minnesota's Jimmy Butler has three preferred destinations for a trade, league sources tell ESPN: The Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Clippers and New York Knicks. Those three teams have max cap space to sign Butler as a free agent in July.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 19, 2018
Butler averaged 22 points, five rebounds, two steals, and just under five assists in 59 games for the Timberwolves last season.
Things are expected to move quickly with training camps beginning later this month. A trade more than likely will be agreed upon within a week.
