The relationship between Jimmy Butler and the Minnesota Timberwolves is once again on the rocks – and it could be sunk for good.
After reportedly clashing with several young players on the team and declining a max contract extension this offseason, the former Chicago Bulls star, together with his agent, will meet with Tom Thibodeau to discuss several pressing issues, in hopes of fixing this broken bond.
However, many rival executives feel that this is a lost cause and predict the Timberwolves will look to trade their star player before next year’s deadline, as reported by Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
The Timberwolves are negotiating a rookie extension with Towns that could be completed before the start of the season. Rival executives believe that Butler could come available on the market by the February trade deadline if Minnesota fears that it will lose him for nothing in July free agency.
Butler, who is 29 years old and still firmly in his prime, will undoubtedly look at his options come the 2019 free agency, but $49 million in guaranteed money could also be too hard to pass up. Minnesota will have the luxury to offer him a five-year $189.7 million contract, as opposed to rival teams who can only propose a maximum of four years and $150 million.
Still, it looks as if the ties within the organization will play a much larger role in this decision and Thibs will take the lead in bringing peace and quiet back to the up and coming franchise.
This hazy picture should become clearer after their exchange so stay tuned next week for more updates on this issue.
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