March 2018 Minnesota Timberwolves Wiretap

Tom Thibodeau Believed To Not Be Ready To Trade Jimmy Butler

Oct 31, 2018 2:56 PM

Tom Thibodeau is not believed to be ready yet to seriously negotiate a trade of Jimmy Butler.

The Houston Rockets, Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers have interest in Butler.

Butler will miss Wednesday's game, but he has told associates that he plans to play against the Warriors on Friday night.

Butler and his agent are frustrated by the Wolves slowly moving to honor his trade request.

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Tags: Jimmy Butler, Houston Rockets, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, Philadelphia Sixers, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Wolves Decline 19-20 Option On Justin Patton

Oct 31, 2018 1:45 PM

The Minnesota Timberwolves have declined their 19-20 option on Justin Patton.

Patton was the 16th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.

Patton has battled injuries throughout his time in the NBA.

Shams Charania, Jon Krawczynski/The Athletic

Tags: Justin Patton, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Jimmy Butler Ready To Miss Games To Help Expedite Trade

Oct 31, 2018 12:47 PM

Jimmy Butler could begin an extended absence in an effort to expedite a trade from the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Butler is sitting out Wednesday's game against the Utah Jazz.

The Timberwolves termed it "general soreness and precautionary rest,” but Butler informed Tom Thibodeau of his decision.

Butler requested a trade before the start of training camp.

The Wolves were close to a trade of Butler to the Miami Heat before the start of the season, but talks fell apart. The Houston Rockets have since been active in talks with the Wolves.

Shams Charania, Jon Krawczynski/The Athletic

Tags: Jimmy Butler, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Rockets Offer Four First Round Picks To Wolves For Jimmy Butler

Oct 25, 2018 10:56 PM

The Houston Rockets have offered four first round picks to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Jimmy Butler.

The Wolves have continued to solicit offers for Butler since the start of the regular season.

The Rockets' offer constitutes the maximum number of first-round picks allowable in a deal, factoring in league rules that necessitate no first-rounders can be conveyed in successive years. The deal would have limited lottery protections.

The Rockets would have a strong desire to re-sign Butler in the offseason.

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Tags: Jimmy Butler, Houston Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Minnesota Fans Go From Booing Jimmy Butler To Chanting 'MVP'

Oct 20, 2018 3:06 PM

Jimmy Butler was booed by some fans of the Minnesota Timberwolves as he was introduced on Friday night, but ended up receiving "MVP" chants by the end of the game after scoring 33 points.

"I love it. I love it," Butler said. "I think people kind of love to hate me sometimes. Say whatever you want to say, but it really makes me smile, what people think about me. But no matter what, you gotta respect my effort."

Butler smiled at fans who jeered him, barked at Tom Thibodeau and walked right past Glen Taylor as the owner of the Wolves greeted players just before tipoff.

"You may not like me. That's OK," Butler said. "But as long as you know that my mind and my heart are in the right place, that I do everything to win and I would do anything for my guys."

Brian Windhorst/ESPN

Tags: Jimmy Butler, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Jimmy Butler: When I'm Playing In Games, Nothing Else Matters

Oct 18, 2018 11:13 AM

While Jimmy Butler has returned to the Minnesota Timberwolves, his trade request still stands and he expects it to be fulfilled.

“This isn’t changing me up, hell no,” Butler told The Athletic. “I do what I do. I’m going to guard to the best of my ability, score, get my rhythm back and help my team win. When I’m out there, nothing else matters. I just want to win.”

The Wolves are expected to use the first few games of the regular season to allow the roster to mesh and for trade offers to materialize again.

Butler is trying to ease the pressure on his teammates that comes from Tom Thibodeau.

“Just hoop, I told them, and I think that I can get Thibs to relax a little bit,” Butler told The Athletic. “He’s never going to say anything about offense as long as you go down there and play with effort on the defensive end and get a couple stops. It’s whenever you’re not getting stops when he starts yelling. I think Thibs has calmed down a lot, and guys are playing with effort. It’s never about offense. We’re always going to score enough points. It’s all about getting stops.

“Thibs didn’t exert as much energy as he always does the past few weeks. He needs to do that more: Sit down, take the load off and trust your guys to get a W.”

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Tags: Jimmy Butler, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Pat Riley Tells Players Heat Will Keep Current Roster

Oct 18, 2018 10:47 AM

Pat Riley informed the locker room of the Miami Heat that he would stick with the current roster to start the season in a show of loyalty the organization has for their current players.

The Heat have aggressively pursued a trade for Jimmy Butler, but talks are now dormant.

Miami has built their trade offer around Josh Richardson.

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Tags: Jimmy Butler, Josh Richardson, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Jimmy Butler: I Just Want To Hoop And Be Out There With My Soliders

Oct 17, 2018 8:30 PM

Jimmy Butler was in the starting lineup for the Minnesota Timberwolves in their regular season opener against the San Antonio Spurs.

“I just want to hoop and be out there with my soldiers, go to war, try to the best of my ability help us win,” Butler said before the game.

“I think we’ll bring it,” Butler said. “If not you’ll see me yelling at people. That’s what I’m supposed to do. You’ll see me talking to some guys nicely, that’s what I’m supposed to do.”

Butler has a standing trade request to leave the Wolves.

 

Chris Hine/Star Tribune

Tags: Jimmy Butler, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Tom Thibodeau's Job Not Currently In Jeopardy

Oct 17, 2018 9:52 AM

Glen Taylor was asked to assess how Tom Thibodeau has handled the Jimmy Butler situation. Thibodeau is entering his third year with the Wolves.

“Well, I’m OK with it,” Taylor said. “Initially, when Butler told [Thibodeau] he wanted to leave, you know Tom did everything he could to try to keep Jimmy here and I understand that. They have a close relationship.

“Thibs brought him here so that he would stay here. But eventually I think that in listening to Jimmy, Thibs and I are lined up on this. We need to be looking at a trade.”

Taylor was asked if Thibodeau is coaching for his job.

“No, no, the only thing now is that we are starting to play games and I am asking him to concentrate on coaching,” Taylor said. “GM Scott Layden will help to see if any trades are available.”

Taylor was also asked whether he's still happy he hired Thibodeau in 2016.

“Yes, yes, he is a good coach and I have faith in him,” he said.

Sid Hartman/Star Tribune

Tags: Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Glen Taylor: It Is In Wolves' Interest To Trade Jimmy Butler

Oct 17, 2018 9:49 AM

Glen Taylor talked about his agreement with Jimmy Butler that he would play for the Minnesota Timberwolves as they attempt to fulfill his trade request.

Taylor was asked whether Butler could eventually remain with the Wolves and re-sign with the team in the offseason.

“That is not part of the plan, but as you know, things can change,” Taylor said. “But that is not what we have agreed to.”

Taylor said he's committed to trading Butler.

“Yes. I think [Butler has] made it very clear that he would not re-sign with us at the end of the year and therefore it is in our interest to get a trade so that we can get a player or two to replace him that helps our team,” Taylor said.

Sid Hartman/Star Tribune

Tags: Jimmy Butler, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Glen Taylor Comes To Understanding With Jimmy Butler

Jon Krawczynski/The Athletic

Jimmy Butler Expected To Play In Wolves' Regular Season Opener

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Heat Not Trying To Re-Engage Wolves On Jimmy Butler Trade

Ira Winderman/South Florida Sun Sentinel

Report: Pat Riley Hung Up On Tom Thibodeau When Asked For More Assets

Jorge Sedano/ESPN

Jimmy Butler Calls Players-Only Meeting, Tells Teammates He's Prepared To Play With Them

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Jimmy Butler Returns To Practice, Verbally Challenges Coaches, Teammates

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Wolves Seeking Eric Gordon, P.J. Tucker From Rockets For Jimmy Butler

Stefano Fusaro/ESPN

Wolves Rejected Miami's Offer Of Josh Richardson, Protected Pick For Jimmy Butler

Marc Stein/New York Times

Tilman Fertitta: Rockets Would Love To Have Jimmy Butler

Steven Godfrey/SBNation

Jimmy Butler Reiterates Trade Request In Meeting With Tom Thibodeau

Shams Charania, Jon Krawczynski/The Athletic

Clippers Haven't Offered Tobias Harris To Wolves For Jimmy Butler

Jon Krawczynski/The Athletic

Wolves' Front Office Considered Difficult To Engage With By Other Teams, Agents

Jon Krawczynski/The Athletic

Jimmy Butler Hasn't Wavered On Trade Request

Jon Krawczynski/The Athletic

Wolves, Heat Nearly Reach Deal On Jimmy Butler Before Talks Collapse

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Clippers, Wolves Remain Engaged On Jimmy Butler Trade

Chris Haynes/Yahoo! Sports

RealGM Radio: Chris Herring On Jimmy Butler And NBA Storylines

RealGM Staff Report

Wolves Seeking Bam Adebayo, Josh Richardson, 2019 FRP From Heat For Jimmy Butler

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Jimmy Butler Won't Hold Out To Force Trade

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Derrick Rose: Most Guys In My Position Would Have Retired

Marc J. Spears/The Undefeated

Heat Considered Most Likely Destination For Jimmy Butler

Marc Stein/New York Times