Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Derrick Rose says the intensity and trash talking small forward Jimmy Butler has been displaying at practice has been much needed for the team.

The Timberwolves looked like a soft club in the preseason without Butler, as they got bullied in the paint and didn't display any mental toughness. Rose, who played with Butler with the Chicago Bulls, says players are supposed to be talking smack to one another in practice.

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It appears Butler is going to be with the Timberwolves when they open the 2018-19 regular season Wednesday against the San Antonio Spurs. Rose started for Butler at the shooting guard position during the preseason. The former MVP will return to the bench now that Butler is back in the starting lineup.

All indications are the Timberwolves are still looking to trade Butler. The four-time All-Star, however, is going to be a good teammate and play his hardest while he's still in Minnesota. Butler, 29, averaged 22.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game last year. He shot 47.4 percent overall, 35.0 percent from beyond the arc and 85.4 percent from the free-throw line.

Rose joined the Timberwolves late in the season and had a strong playoff run. The Chicago native averaged 14.2 points while shooting an efficient 50.9 percent from the field and 70 percent from 3-point range in his five postseason games, playing 24 minutes a contest. Rose re-signed with the Timberwolves on the first day of free agency on a one-year contract worth $2.3 million.