St. Paul (Pioneer Press) Jimmy Butler has requested a trade from the Minnesota Timberwolves, a source confirmed to the Pioneer Press.
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The Athletic was the first to report Butler’s request.
Butler made the request Tuesday in a much-anticipated meeting in Los Angeles with Wolves’ coach Tom Thibodeau.
The All-NBA’s wing’s request comes six days before the start of Timberwolves’ training camp, and five days before the team’s media day, placing the team in a tight spot this late in the offseason.
When reached for comment regarding the news, Bernie Lee, Butler’s agent, said he has “absolutely no comment on that. Any reports circulating are 100 percent news to me.”
Butler turned down a relatively modest 4-year, $110 million contract extension offer from the team this summer.
This is Butler’s last season under contract in Minnesota. The Timberwolves could offer him a five-year, $188 million deal next offseason, far more lucrative than any deal he can get from another franchise. But it doesn’t look like they’ll get the chance.
ESPN reported that Butler’s three preferred trade destinations are the Nets, Knicks and Clippers.
There have also been questions about Butler’s relationship with younger teammates Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns. But Thibodeau — who’s also Minnesota’s president of basketball operations — has downplayed any rumors of discontent from within the franchise all summer.
Butler’s impact on the Wolves was easy to see last season. The guard willed Minnesota to the playoffs, snapping a 13-year postseason drought.
But after dealing several promising young pieces for Butler last offseason, there’s pressure on Thibodeau and Co. to recoup value in a potential trade of Butler, should they indeed choose to make one.
