Despite everything, the Minnesota Timberwolves will open their season with Jimmy Butler in the squad, as team owner Glen Taylor confirmed in an interview. A trade for the dissatisfied superstar is still being sought.
In a report by The Athletic it was already announced on Monday that Butler and Taylor had met and clarified a few things. Now Taylor spoke to the Star Tribune, a newspaper he owns, about the pronunciation and confirmed that Butler would be part of the team first.
“The latest thing is that he’s been training with it, he’s already started that over the last few days, and that he’s in the games,” says Taylor. “He’ll be a regular member of the team. At the same time I told him that our GM Scott Layden will talk to teams in the meantime and see if there is a trade that works.”
He has therefore not relinquished Butler’s trade claim. That the Swingman will stay in Minnesota beyond the season is “not part of the plan,” Taylor said. “He has made it very clear that he will not extend here after the season, so it is in our interest to find a trade. We’d have to make a lot of changes to keep Jimmy.”
Coach Tom Thibodeau, who also serves as President of Basketball Operations for the Wolves and was and is responsible for the engagement and a possible Trade Butlers, does not have to fear for his job, says Taylor. Thibodeau has a three-year contract with the Wolves.
“The only thing I’m asking him to do at the start of the season is that he’s focused on coaching and that Scott Layden can help us look for a trade,” says Taylor.