Minnesota Timberwolves small forward Jimmy Butler tells ESPN's Rachel Nichols he is sitting out Wednesday's home game against the Utah Jazz because his “body is hurting.”
The All-Star swingman denies he is sitting out as a protest against the organization after a report came out stating he was thinking about a long-term absence from the team. Butler requested a trade from the Timberwolves almost seven weeks ago, but there doesn't appear to be any traction on a deal that gets him out of Minnesota.
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) October 31, 2018
Jimmy Butler didn't play at all during the preseason because he was away from the team. He underwent an elective hand procedure in July and is still dealing with some soreness. The 29-year-old suffered a torn right meniscus in late February and underwent surgery as well.
The Timberwolves take on the Golden State Warriors this Friday. If his body is feeling good, it looks like Butler will play in that game.
In six games this season, Butler is averaging 22.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists while shooting 50.5 percent from the field, 48.0 percent from beyond the arc and 83.8 percent from the free-throw line. The Timberwolves enter Wednesday with a record of 3-4.
With the way this whole saga has unfolded, there's no telling when it's going to end. By the looks of it, Timberwolves head coach/president Tom Thibodeau is still reluctant to trade Jimmy Butler, while owner Glen Taylor continues to look for a deal.
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