The dumpster fire in Minnesota just got a little hotter.
What had been reported as something that could happen — Jimmy Butler missing the start of training camp — has come to reality. Butler has been given permission to miss media day and will not participate on the court to start camp, reports Jon Krawczynski and Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Skipping media day is an effort to dampen the circus… good luck with that.
Not participating to start the camp is Butler’s way of exerting pressure and trying to get traded sooner rather than later.
In a meeting last Tuesday in Los Angeles, Butler asked for a trade, specifically to the Clippers/Nets/Knicks. That was the start of a week where things devolved quickly in Minnesota, including social media drama with Andrew Wiggins and rumors about Towns’ girlfriend being at the heart of the problem.
Thibodeau has forcefully shot down any other team that even tried to start a trade discussion, and would rather quit than move him for a rebuilding package of picks. Part of that is good negotiations, right now offers are not going to be that good, and part of it is Thibodeau realizes his job on the line and this team is not as good without Butler.
With Thibodeau wanting no part of trading Butler, Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor — who has a rocky relationship with Thibodeau — is fielding trade offers and is taking charge of the situation, a bad sign for Thibodeau.
Looming over all of this is the future of the franchise — Karl-Anthony Towns has a $158 million contract extension sitting on the table, but told management he can’t coexist with Butler and reportedly will not sign the new deal until the Butler situation is resolved.
Sources around the league think Butler will get moved, but the demand for him is not as strong as the Timberwolves would hope. Teams that want him think they can get him as a free agent and are not offering much, others will not throw in much for a potential rental. Beyond that, teams are worried that if they sign or re-sign Butler next summer to a deal (the team with his Bird rights can offer five-years, $190 million, others can offer four years at $139 million) they will regret the finals year or two of the contract, because while Butler is just 29 he has Thibodeau miles on him and has battled some injuries, including last season.
