Report: Tom Thibodeau still trying to change Jimmy Butler’s mind

Tom Thibodeau is not giving up on Jimmy Butler easily.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Thibodeau met with Butler on Monday and tried to convince him to join the Minnesota Timberwolves in the preseason.

Minnesota Timberwolves President/Coach Tom Thibodeau met with All-Star forward Jimmy Butler on Monday and tried to convince him to eventually rejoin the team in the preseason, league sources tell ESPN. Butler is sitting out, awaiting the organization to honor his trade request.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 25, 2018

Butler has requested a trade from Minnesota and reportedly is threatening to play hardball in order to get his way. His demands have brought a divide within the organization into the forefront.

Thibodeau does not want to trade Butler, while team owner Glen Taylor wants to in order to avoid the appearance of a dysfunctional team. Thibodeau, the team president and head coach, gave up a lot of assets to acquire Butler and knows that the four-time All-Star is key to the team’s playoff hopes. He doesn’t want to lose him after one season, because he knows there will be heavy consequences, such as his job potentially being on the line.

On the other hand, Butler and Karl-Anthony Towns apparently did not get along, and the impending departure of Butler has resulted in Towns agreeing to a long-term extension with the team. Thibodeau may be trying to make everything work, while Taylor has made his choice. Ownership wins in these matters, and we hardly doubt Thibodeau will be able to convince anyone that Butler will have a harmonious relationship with Minnesota if he remains with the team.