Minnesota Timberwolves small forward Jimmy Butler says he doesn't care if he's booed at Target Center on Friday during the team's home opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers — if he's still on the team.
Butler was back at practice Sunday and is expected to play Wednesday versus the San Antonio Spurs in the Timberwolves' regular-season opener.
Asked Jimmy Butler if he expects negative reaction on Friday (if he’s still here):
“Sure. Go ahead, boo me. It ain’t going to change the way I play. That’s going to make me smile more. So please, come on with it.”— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) October 14, 2018
Butler requested a trade from the Timberwolves almost four weeks ago. Minnesota and the Miami Heat were reportedly close to a deal until president/head coach Tom Thibodeau asked for more assets from Miami.
Butler practiced with the Timberwolves last Friday and caused quite the stir. The four-time All-Star reportedly went out of his way to challenge Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns, and also cursed at Thibodeau and general manager Scott Layden.
In his first season with the Timberwolves last year after spending the first six years of his career with the Chicago Bulls, Butler averaged 22.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game. He shot 47.4 percent overall, 35.0 percent from beyond the arc and 85.4 percent from the free-throw line. Butler guided Minnesota to the playoffs for the first time in 14 years.
Butler can become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2019 if he declines his 2019-20 player option with the Timberwolves. The swingman reportedly told Thibodeau he will not re-sign with the Timberwolves.
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