Following reports from The Athletic that Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jimmy Butler has requested a trade, it's now being said that teammate Karl-Anthony Towns simply can't get along with the four-time All-Star.
According to Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN (h/t Dan Feldman of NBC Sports), Towns hasn't signed a new contract with Minnesota, because he wants the apparent drama with Butler resolved.
Here's what Woofson had to say on the matter:
"I’m led to believe that a big reason why he hasn’t signed it is that he – through his agent, Leon Rose – went to the Wolves and said, 'Hey, I can’t coexist with Jimmy. Do something about it.'
So, Figure out the Jimmy situation. On top of that – whether it’s right or wrong, this is the way he feels – that it’s been Jimmy and Thibs ganging up on him."
Towns also had to shut down a rumor that he and Butler were involved with the same woman, which many believed was the reason why the latter requested a trade. But Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic said that Butler's trade request is over his contract situation, and not to do with Towns.
RELATED: RUMOR: JIMMY BUTLER WANTS A SUPERMAX CONTRACT, DOESN’T WANT TO PLAY WITH LEBRON
It's worth noting that ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Timberwolves aren't interested in trading Butler, preferring to hold onto the four-time All-Star in hopes of reaching the playoffs for a second consecutive year.
Butler can opt out of his contract after next season and test the free agent market. Wojnarowski reported that Butler would like a trade to either the Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Clippers or New York Knicks, since all of them have the cap space to give him the super max contract.
Obviously, the Timberwolves would love to keep Butler around long-term, but when two superstars are at odds, the results are never promising. Unless Towns and Butler can put their differences aside and work it out during the 2018-19 season, the latter's tenure in Minnesota will end as quickly as it started.