Jimmy Butler officially wants out of Minnesota.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Butler has requested a trade from the Minnesota Timberwolves and has given the organization a very short list of teams he would be willing to consider a long-term extension with if he were traded there.
Jimmy Butler has requested a trade from the Minnesota Timberwolves, league sources tell me and @JonKrawczynski. Butler has given Minnesota a list of one-to-three teams with whom he's open to signing extension, in anticipation of trade.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 19, 2018
Less than one week before Timberwolves' training camp begins. After weeks of contemplating future in Minnesota, Butler informed Tom Thibodeau on Tuesday, sources said. https://t.co/0n882h9l1t
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 19, 2018
Butler can opt out of his current contract after the upcoming season and is widely expected to do so. There is no indication as to which teams Butler will consider re-signing with.
Things had been trending this way for a while now. The report that Butler was considering his future and seeking a meeting with team president Tom Thibodeau was an ominous one from Minnesota’s standpoint. The Timberwolves made Butler the centerpiece of their rebuild after a huge offseason trade last year, but barely squeaked into the playoffs and fell short of expectations. Now he seems to be on his way out after just one season with the team.
