Minnesota Timberwolves team owner Glen Taylor admitted that it was hard for head coach Tim Thibodeau to part ways with Jimmy Butler.
Thibodeau, who is also the team's president of basketball operations, was initially given the task of handling the Butler situation. Before the regular season began, Thibodeau reportedly almost sealed the deal with the Miami Heat. But when the deal fell out, it was evident that Thibodeau was determined in convincing Butler to stay.
And when the regular season went underway, Taylor opted to hand the task over the Timberwolves general manager Scott Layden, allowing Thibodeau to focus on his head coaching job. Within weeks, a trade package was arranged and Butler was sent to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Taylor admitted that it was a difficult situation for Thibodeau. Per Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic, Taylor said:
“It was hard for the coach to see an end to this relationship,” Taylor said. “I think he felt responsible that he should work hard to try to get Jimmy to change his mind, to stay with us, to meet the goals that we all agreed upon and that was to have a successful year this year and he would coach it, Jimmy would help in the leadership needs of the team and get us deep in the playoffs. I don’t fault the coach at all for having those desires and hopes.”
It seemed that Thibodeau had all the pieces in place. He reunited with his former Chicago Bulls players like Derrick Rose, Taj Gibson, Luol Deng, and Jimmy Butler. But things didn't go as planned for Thibodeau as Butler couldn't coexist with the rest of the Wolves. But as the great coach that he is, he'll eventually figure things out.
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