Minnesota Timberwolves small forward Jimmy Butler will play against the Sacramento Kings Friday night, but the All-Star swingman will continue to sit out future games for scheduled rest, according to Marc Stein of the New York Times.
Jimmy Butler requested a trade in September. There appears to be no traction on a deal. As a result, the Timberwolves and Butler have agreed to a maintenance plan to reduce the risk of an injury. The four-time All-Star didn't play at all during the preseason.
Jimmy Butler is scheduled to play tonight at Sacramento, but league sources say Minnesota will continue to mix in occasional games of "scheduled rest" for Butler as part of a jointly agreed plan coming into the season
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) November 9, 2018
Sources say Minnesota and Butler jointly established a loose limit of 32 minutes for games — both to ease him back to full speed after he missed training camp but also to try to minimize injury risk for both parties after Glen Taylor promised Butler he would try to trade him https://t.co/1CoMiUPRQF
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) November 9, 2018
So the scheduled rest games, I'm told, are a measure to try to minimize the risk (for both parties) as much as they can, since the Wolves know they have to move Butler before the Feb. 7 trade deadline or risk losing him for nothing in free agency in July https://t.co/IEXtnABw5h
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) November 9, 2018
Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor has told Jimmy Butler that while he searches for a trade, he wants the 29-year-old to be a good teammate and continue to play hard. Butler has agreed to that deal.
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 can become an unrestricted free agent during the summer of 2019 if he declines his 2019-20 player-option. The Timberwolves have to eventually trade him because Butler has told head coach and president Tom Thibodeau he will not re-sign with the club.
Minnesota has reportedly rejected offers from the Houston Rockets and Miami Heat.
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