Following a quick first-round exit against the top-seeded Houston Rockets, the Minnesota Timberwolves will have plenty of offseason questions to address, expected to prioritize the re-signing of their talisman, Jimmy Butler.
Butler was acquired in a draft night trade with the Chicago Bulls, reuniting him with his former coach Tom Thibodeau, and later with a former teammate in Derrick Rose before the end of the regular season, who will also figure as another priority as one of Thibodeau's favorites.
Karl-Anthony Towns figures as another main cog to keep, as owner Glen Taylor is hoping to give himself and the front office time to figure out, according to Jerry Zgoda of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
Taylor called Butler a “very important part of our future,” and a player who brings a “personality and a skill-set” much different from his younger players.
Besides Butler, Towns, and Rose, the Timberwolves have a myriad of other names they'll need to address, namely the signings of Jamal Crawford, Tyus Jones, and Nemanja Bjelica — all could be tough to retain considering the money Butler and Towns will command to stay home.
Thibodeau will have to wear both hats — one of a president and the other of a coach, figuring out what moves to make in hopes to retain their key cogs while making some sacrifices in hopes for a better outcome next season.
“Just continue to build,” Thibodeau said. “We need another strong summer, another strong fall. We need everyone to commit to improve and learn and it never ends. That’s the thing about this league. You’re always going to be challenged.”
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