Jimmy Butler was an unrestricted free agent during the summer of 2019, but the New York Knicks reportedly weren't interested in signing the All-Star swingman, per Marc Berman of the New York Post.
The Knicks' old management, led by Steve Mills and Scott Perry (the latter of whom is still with the team), supposedly didn't appreciate Butler's leadership style.
New York is now led by Leon Rose and Tom Thibodeau, who coached Butler on the Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves. If Thibs was on the Knicks in the summer of 2019, there is no question New York would have pursued Butler, who is now living his best life with the Miami Heat, who are one win away from the NBA Finals.
Per Berman:
When Butler was a free agent in 2019, the Knicks’ past management wasn’t interested in Butler’s leadership and defense. Thibodeau, as former president and coach of the Timberwolves, traded for Butler in 2017, but it backfired.
As it happened, Butler’s hard-nosed approach wasn’t accepted by Minnesota’s ownership, management or their young players. Butler asked to be traded and Thibodeau was soon out of a job.
“Butler didn’t like some of the guys’ lack of professionalism,” one NBA source told The Post. “[Jimmy] and Tom had long talks about how to deal with it. When Butler realized it was unsolvable, he lashed out at the organization. His clock was ticking on his prime and didn’t want to waste it and forced his way out. Tommy was telling him to have patience, see it through.”
Thibodeau is looking to bring the Knicks back to prominence. New York hasn't had a winning record or made the playoffs since the 2012-13 season when Mike Woodson was the head coach and Carmelo Anthony was in the MVP conversation. (Now Woodson is back as an assistant and Anthony could return as he's a free agent.)
The summer of 2019 was tough for the Knicks. They missed out on Jimmy Butler, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving along with going from the worst record the prior season to the third overall pick, missing out on Zion Williamson and Ja Morant.
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