The Minnesota Timberwolves take on the Sacramento Kings Friday night and small forward Jimmy Butler is not on the team's initial injury report.

Butler has sat out a few games this season for “precautionary rest.”

Timberwolves head coach and president Tom Thibodeau recently said the organization wants to be smart with Jimmy Butler, who requested a trade almost seven weeks ago. The four-time All-Star didn’t play at all during the preseason.

In nine games this season, Butler is averaging 22.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.9 assists while shooting 49.0 percent from the field, 39.5 percent from beyond the arc and 80.4 percent from the free-throw line.

The Timberwolves enter Friday with a record of 4-8. They have lost four games in a row.

Butler told reporters after a loss to the Golden State Warriors that he’s going to make the call whether he plays in games or not. The 29-year-old says only he knows how his body is feeling. Butler underwent knee surgery last season and an elective hand surgery in July. He is apparently still dealing with some soreness.

Are the Timberwolves ever going to trade Jimmy Butler? This saga has dragged on for too long. Minnesota has reportedly rejected offers from the Houston Rockets and Miami Heat. The situation needs to be resolved before this season is up, as the Timberwolves would hate to lose Butler for nothing in the summer of 2019.