Every time a new report comes out regarding Jimmy Butler, it seems like things are becoming slightly crazier. The latest example of this dropped on Saturday night, as word dropped that Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor — who wants the team to get something back for Butler — is making it clear that his front office has to get over their reservations about moving the All-Star guard.
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports that Taylor isn’t just telling those below him on the Timberwolves food chain to listen to offers for Butler, he actually wants Minnesota to initiate conversations with other teams about making a move. This comes on the heels of a report that Taylor wants a move to happen sooner rather than later.
Thibodeau’s general manager, Scott Layden, had been shutting down trade inquires for Butler in recent days, and Taylor has demanded that Layden not only take calls on potential deals, but reach out to initiate conversations, league sources said. This is all really…unique. https://t.co/RwoI9RSvGz
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 23, 2018
As Wojnarowski said, this sort of thing is something else, because a sign of desperation like this would ostensibly hurt the Timberwolves, which now seem kind of desperate to get rid of Butler. It also comes on the heels of The Athletic reporting that Minnesota’s “organizational focus” is being placed on finding a deal for Butler after they came to terms on a contract extension with Karl-Anthony Towns.
Minnesota is aligning its organizational focus on next step of trading All-Star Jimmy Butler, league sources tell me and @JonKrawczynski.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 23, 2018
What this means for the future of those in Minnesota’s front office that have been hesitant to move Butler remain to be seen. As for the timetable on a move, this surely makes it sound like Butler will get his wish sometime in the foreseeable future.
