With training camp just around the corner, most NBA teams are expected to buckle down and get ready for the coming season. Most ballclubs have already retooled their rosters with the players necessary for their campaign although such does not yet apply for the Minnesota Timberwolves because of Jimmy Butler.
It is no secret that the 29-year-old has expressed his desire to be traded to other teams. As mentioned in a separate post, the all-star swingman has his sights on three teams – the Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Clippers and the New York Knicks. However, more teams have expressed interest in Butler and may come into play if Minnesota fails to work something out with the three teams mentioned.
There is no clarity on where Butler will end up. No team seems to be in the lead although Timberwolves team owner Glen Taylor wants the disgruntled player to be dealt out as soon as possible. Training camp is just around the corner and Taylor wants everyone to be on the same page without needed distractions – that of which is Butler, ABC News said.
Aside from Brooklyn, the LA Clippers and Knicks, other teams who have expressed interest in Butler include the Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Miami Heat, and the Philadelphia 76ers. All are still probing the deal and nothing has yet to gain ground.
With barely a day left, that wish of finalizing a deal for Butler may eat into training camp. That said, negotiations are likely in motion. Taylor and coach Tom Thibodeau may need to prolong their patience for now and try to juggle in between the distraction.
Thibodeau is allegedly reluctant to trade away Butler, something that does not sit well with Taylor. General manager Scott Layden has reportedly been shunning trade inquiries and now the T-Wolves team owner is setting his foot down. Hence, if Thibodeau and Taylor do not act accordingly, a possible scenario would be Taylor taking over – something that may cause further distraction and mayhem with the franchise.
One team out of the big three for Butler’s services is the Miami Heat. According to the Bleacher Report, team president Pat Riley is aggressively in pursuit of the 29-year-old star. So if Thibodeau and Layden fail to work out something with the Heat, there is a chance that Taylor may directly handle the negotiations to prevent the unwanted circus that already exists within the ranks.
Butler taking his act to South Beach will be interesting to see. The team did manage to make the playoffs last season although they were booted out by the Sixers in the first round. The all-star forward does have certain goals on his mind although potentially relaxing them to jump out of Minnesota is always a possibility.
