Butler to join Wolves

Just like last season, Jimmy Butler and the Minnesota Timberwolves traveled to San Antonio for their opener.

After all the disruption caused by Butler’s trade request that became public a week before training camp began, no deal has been made. So the four-time All Star will be on the court facing off against the Spurs with his Timberwolves teammates tonight, no matter the awkwardness and tension that might be lingering.

“I’m planning on playing him, and if he feels good he’ll be ready to go,” Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau said after an abbreviated practice yesterday, before the team departed for the airport for the trip to Texas.

Butler has only participated in four days of on-court workouts with the team, starting with his raucous appearance a week ago. Thibodeau canceled practice the following day, and Butler did not accompany the team to the preseason game on Friday because of what was officially announced as rehabilitation for his right hand that was surgically repaired in July.

After another day off for the team, Butler was back at it with the rest of the Wolves on Sunday and made available for questions afterward to local reporters for the first time. His first public comments on his status came in an ESPN interview a few hours after his demonstrative arrival last week.

“They want me to go out here and hoop to the best of my abilities,” Butler said. “Make sure I’m healthy, compete, because that’s what I love to do, and do it for the guys in the same jerseys as me.”

Whether the guys in the same jerseys are happy to have him around while simultaneously wanting out, well, that depends on the guy.

Elsewhere in the NBA — The Los Angeles Lakers have exercised their contract options for the 201920 season on Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma and Josh Hart . . . .

WNBA All-Star Kristi Toliver will be an assistant coach for player development for the NBA’s Washington Wizards this season.