Report: Tom Thibodeau ‘still determined’ to keep Jimmy Butler

Tom Thibodeau still does not seem like he is giving up on Jimmy Butler.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have been engaged in trade talks with the Miami Heat over Butler, but a report on Wednesday said things broke down after the Timberwolves proposed a change in deal terms.

Now ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that the Heat are seeking an answer from Minnesota on Wednesday. Woj also says that barring a trade, Thibodeau is “still determined” to get Butler back with the Timberwolves for the start of the season.

Sources: Barring a trade, Tom Thibodeau is still determined to get Butler back with the team for start of season. Butler hasn't made a final decision on when he'll join team and practice, but he doesn't plan to miss regular season games if his wrist is healthy. https://t.co/iQypvZ88ad

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 4, 2018

There has been a divide within the organization over Butler. Thibodeau, the coach and president, wants to keep Butler, believing he is key to the team contending for the playoffs. The team’s owner Glen Taylor wants to trade Butler to avoid the look of dysfunction within the organization and to keep Karl-Anthony Towns happy.

It’s unclear whether this is more of the same from Thibodeau, or if the detail is leaking out because Thibodeau is trying to gain leverage in trade talks to get the Heat or others to improve their offers.