Despite the first play-off since 2004, the situation at the Minnesota Timberwolves seemed tense over the summer. Wolves coach Tom Thibodeau has now made a statement at the Minnesota State Fair.
Over the summer, rumors circulated that Jimmy Butler and the younger stars of Wolves Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins didn’t get along too well. Butler also became a free agent after the season and turned down a contract extension for 110 million dollars in the summer. But that does not worry him, Thibodeau said.
“I’ve been around a long time; I don’t believe in this stuff,” Thibs said. “You have to distinguish between what’s real and what’s not. You’ve never heard anything directly from Jimmy, always from anonymous sources close to him. “When Jimmy has something to say to someone, he usually does it himself.”
The fact that Butler had rejected the deal was “expected”, Thibodeau said, as he could earn even more next summer. “We just wanted to show him how important he is to our organization. If we win, it’ll work itself out. We know our situation and know what we can offer him. This is the best place for him,” said the coach.
Towns also have the possibility of an extension, the Wolves could take the Big Man under contract before his fourth season for up to 187 million dollars and have until the end of October. Thibodeau said he was “very optimistic” that this agreement would be reached before the season. “We know how important Karl is to the future of our organization.”