Butler on the way out
In retrospect, the Timberwolves’ acquisition of Jimmy Butler this time last year wasn’t such a good move. True, it led to their first playoff appearance in 13 years. And, true, it was a gamble that looked ready to reap dividends for some time to come. On the other hand, there can be no quibbling with the outcome: The four-time National Basketball Association All-Star is on his way out, and sooner rather than later. Considering the stakes, it’s no wonder Timberwolves head coach and head of hoops operations Tom Thibodeau wants to keep Butler on the roster for the 2018-19 season even with free agency coming next. His own tenure with the franchise is at stake, and, determined to show some semblance of improvement by way of validating his leadership, he knows dealing his best player for budding talent is tantamount to a reboot that seals his fate.
Of course, the final say lies with ownership, and especially for the Timberwolves. Prominently hands on, Glen Taylor has been front and center in major negotiations involving former stars, among them Kevin Garnett to the Celtics in 2007 and Kevin Love to the Cavaliers seven years later. And, based on news gathered by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, he is again bent on having his way with Butler; contrary to sentiments being conveyed by Thibodeau and general manager Scott Layden, he has told peers that Butler is available for the taking.
Moving forward, Taylor may well have the more defensible position. Regardless of what the Timberwolves gave up to get Butler last year, the fact remains that he now wants out. And, really, there’s nothing like a disgruntled marquee name feuding with the other leading lights on the team to sabotage growth. As also proven during his stint with the Bulls, he has no patience for the slow progression of talents. Meanwhile, the franchise has made a choice, clearly hitching its future to Karl Anthony-Towns via a whopping $190-million supermax extension.
Admittedly, the Timberwolves will be bargaining from a place of weakness in its attempts to be rid of Butler. Then again, it’s better to get pennies to the dollar than nothing at all. And, if nothing else, it will have avoided throwing good money over bad; he’s due for a big payday next year, and, given his injury history, the prospect of handing him eight-figure checks when he’s 35 is far from enticing. In other words, the seemingly sorry saga has a silver lining. It just isn’t evident yet.
The Timberwolves will be bargaining from a place of weakness in its attempts to be rid of Butler. Then again, it’s better to get pennies to the dollar than nothing at all. And, if nothing else, it will have avoided throwing good money over bad; he’s due for a big payday next year, and, given his injury history, the prospect of handing him eight-figure checks when he’s 35 is far from enticing. In other words, the seemingly sorry saga has a silver lining. It just isn’t evident yet.