Despite the urgency in trading All-Star forward Jimmy Butler before the start of the regular season, the Minnesota Timberwolves won't stick to his handpicked list of three preferred teams, according to Sean Deveney of The Sporting News.
The Timberwolves will take an approach similar to the San Antonio Spurs' when they traded franchise star Kawhi Leonard to a team outside his preference, but that offered the best package in return.
Butler selected the L.A. Clippers, New York Knicks, and Brooklyn Nets as his preferred destinations, but the Clippers and Knicks seem to prefer to wait and save a potential $50 million over a max deal.
While Butler is one of the best two-way talents in the league after Leonard, teams now plan to use this invisible leverage, hoping stars would still be willing to gravitate to their destinations once free agency comes around.
The Minnesota brass, led by president/coach Tom Thibodeau and general manager Scott Layden, initially refused to trade Butler, knowing they wouldn't get a package of equal or better value for his services. That disposition changed as soon as owner Glen Taylor informed teams that Butler is indeed available for trade, hoping teams would be open to calling even him, if they must, to make an offer.
Taylor scolded his front office and asked them to be active calling other teams to find Butler a new home, making the dysfunction even more apparent.
The Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Philadelphia 76ers, Toronto Raptors, and the Cleveland Cavaliers have already expressed interest, among others — giving the Timberwolves ample options to swing a trade for the defensive ace.
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