Report: Jimmy Butler expected to play in Timberwolves’ season opener

After a tumultuous offseason and an even more tumultuous week, Jimmy Butler is set to start the season right where he left it last year.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Butler is expected to play in the Minnesota Timberwolves’ season opener on Wednesday against the San Antonio Spurs, as trade talks with the Miami Heat have fallen apart and not been resuscitated.

Minnesota's Jimmy Butler practiced again Sunday and is expected to play in season opener in San Antonio on Wednesday. Heat/Timberwolves talks have been dead, for now, league sources said.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 14, 2018

This promises to be a very awkward affair. Butler went off at a team practice last week and has made no secret of the fact that he wants to be traded, but the Timberwolves just haven’t found a deal for him that they’re satisfied with. That means he won’t get his wish ahead of the season, but he doesn’t appear likely to sit out.