Jimmy Butler Trade Update: Timberwolves Owner Officially Makes Him Available

TheSportster

By Alex Hoegler

Published Sep 22, 2018

Amid rumors the front office didn't want to trade him, Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor is fielding offers for Jimmy Butler.

Apr 15, 2018; Houston, TX, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Jimmy Butler (23) shoots the ball in game one of the first round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Despite rumors that Minnesota Timberwolves head coach and president Tom Thibodeau didn't want to trade Jimmy Butler, owner Glen Taylor is reportedly making the four-time All-Star available.

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Taylor told informed teams they could contact him about a Butler trade at the NBA's Board of Governor meetings.

Wojnarowki's report came after Sean Deveney of the Sporting News - citing a front office executive - reported that Thibodeau would rather leave the Timberwolves than trade his franchise player.

The Athletic initially reported that Butler wanted to be trade following a meeting with Minnesota management. The four-time All-Star is also reportedly at odds with teammate Karl-Anthony Towns, and there have been rumors that the two were involved in a love triangle.

Wojnarowski reported that Butler has the Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Clippers and New York Knicks on his wish list. This is because Butler wants to be the main star in a big market, and all three teams have the cap space to give Butler the super max extension.

Of course, it's unknown if any team would want to sign Butler to a major contract that would take him into his mid-30s, and if either would want to sacrifice major assets for a player that's 30 next year.

Butler was traded to Minnesota last year in exchange for Kris Dunn, Zach LaVine and 2017 first-round pick Lauri Markkanen. Butler was able to help Minnesota notch 47 wins and end its 14-year playoff drought, but it sounds like he wants his time in the Gopher State to be short and sweet.

It'll be hard for the Timberwolves to receive equal value in return for a Butler trade, but securing assets is better than losing him in free agency for nothing. The regular season is only a month away now, and the clock is ticking for Minnesota to make a trade happen, and the next few days promise to be quite interesting.

NEXT: RUMOR: JIMMY BUTLER WANTS A SUPERMAX CONTRACT, DOESN’T WANT TO PLAY WITH LEBRON