NBA
Jimmy Butler To Miss Training Camp
The Minnesota Timberwolves and Jimmy Butler drama has been getting worse and worse. Now, It’s at the point where Butler won’t be attending on court activities for trading camp, and won’t be participating on media day.This is now just the countdown until Butler is no longer with the Timberwolves.
A few days ago, Butler finally requested a trade that everyone had been speculating about since he turned down a contract extension from this past summer. With that request being said though, Timberwolves head coach and President of Operations, Tom Thibodeau, is still reluctant to trade Butler. Thibodeau was the person who pulled the blockbuster trade for Butler.
His tenure with the team relies on this Butler move with the team. Owner Glen Taylor is open to any trade offers right now. He’s been telling owners and GM’s to contact him directly if the front office doesn’t pick up.
A ramification of the trade though is the Timberwolves losing out on coach Thibodeau. He doesn’t want to be in Minnesota if it becomes a rebuilding mode. That won’t necessarily have to happen since the team still has young talent in 22 year old All-star Karl Anthony-Towns, and 23 year old Andrew Wiggins. This could give a reason for Taylor to fire Thibodeau since they both have different mindsets on how the franchise should be ran.
Right now, this small market team is dealing with a big market team problem. Ever since Taylor bought the franchise in the mid-90’s, he has had a very shaky history with ability of hiring management. Minus the era of the late Flip Saunders coaching and overlooking the team, the Timberwolves have had limited success.
Timberwolves’ fans are getting restless with him about waiting to do moves. This is his chance to get some points back with the fans in Minnesota. The season starts in less than a month and the Timberwolves need to figure things out.
Photo Credit
BipHoo Company vis Flickr
