Jimmy Butler's camp has denied reports of the All-Star forward seeking a move out of the Minnesota Timberwolves due to contractual differences with the team, according to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times.
While there has been plenty of talk of Butler's distaste for the nonchalant duo of Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns, there was a report suggesting that friction wasn't the reason for the trade request. Rather, Butler was reportedly hoping the Timberwolves would renegotiate and extend his contract instead of just offering the max four-year, $110 million extension they could offer this summer.
Per Cowley, that's incorrect:
“To add to the Butler drama there have been multiple reports in the Minneapolis area to come out this week that money was the main sticking point for Butler to demand his departure, but a source in his camp told the Sun-Times on Friday that it was “manufactured’’ by “ownership mouthpieces’’ to make Butler look bad,” wrote Cowley. “Salary complaints by athletes tend to do that.”
Butler is hoping for a five-year, $190 million payday next offseason, which he could get from the Timberwolves if he stays put or from another team if traded. However, he has reportedly told Minnesota he doesn't intend on signing that deal with them next summer and would prefer a trade to the Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks, or Brooklyn Nets. If Butler isn't traded, he could only sign a four-year deal worth around $140 million with another team next summer.
So, this new report suggests Butler is indeed upset with how unreasonably relaxed and nonchalant the two Timberwolves youngsters have been with losing games, something deemed unforgivable in Butler's book.
While the other report made Butler look like a money-hungry superstar, this latest report seems to display some desperation on the part of Minnesota.
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