Jimmy Butler has missed some games recently in part because he and the Minnesota Timberwolves want him to remain healthy for trade purposes, and that will continue to be the theme going forward.
According to Marc Stein of the New York Times, Butler will play on Friday night against the Sacramento Kings but will continue to have “scheduled rest” days going forward. He will also be on a loose minutes restriction of about 32, though Stein believes Butler will play more if he gets wrapped up in the heat of competition.
Sources say Minnesota and Butler jointly established a loose limit of 32 minutes for games — both to ease him back to full speed after he missed training camp but also to try to minimize injury risk for both parties after Glen Taylor promised Butler he would try to trade him https://t.co/1CoMiUPRQF
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) November 9, 2018
So the scheduled rest games, I'm told, are a measure to try to minimize the risk (for both parties) as much as they can, since the Wolves know they have to move Butler before the Feb. 7 trade deadline or risk losing him for nothing in free agency in July https://t.co/IEXtnABw5h
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) November 9, 2018
Butler originally said that sitting out games is in no way a form of protest, and that is likely true. While some have viewed the days off as Butler sending a message to the Timberwolves, owner Glen Taylor has made it clear that he intends to grant Butler’s trade request. If they are committed to trading him, the T-Wolves don’t want Butler to suffer a significant injury any more than he does.
Butler has insisted that he still has nothing but love for his teammates in Minnesota, and he proved that to be true with a great gesture earlier in the week.
